Hundescene 1840

Theodor Kiellerup made this scene of dogs with oil on canvas. Oil paint allows for subtle gradations of tone, and an almost photographic realism. Notice the shiny quality of the dogs’ coats, captured with the artist’s skillful brushwork. Paintings like this fit into a long tradition of animal portraiture, where the artist’s technical skill is allied with the needs of wealthy patrons, often land-owners who wished to memorialize their prized animals. The setting, with its rain and rudimentary doghouse, might suggest a naturalistic sensibility. But in truth, “Hundescene” belongs to the culture of conspicuous consumption – a display of wealth and mastery. So, while we might admire the artist’s ability, it is worth remembering the social context in which this painting was made, and the way it reflects the lives of both humans and animals in 19th-century Denmark. Recognizing this helps us to look critically at the image, without diminishing its undeniable visual power.