Man met hond 1803 - 1846

Paulus Charles Gerard Poelman created this etching titled 'Man met hond' – or 'Man with dog' - in the early 19th century. The print depicts a man in repose, his back turned to us, his dog in the distance. During the 19th century, the relationship between humans and animals came under increasing scrutiny. What obligations did humans have to their animal companions? Here, the image raises questions about class and leisure. The man is equipped with a sword, signaling some level of social status, yet he sits idly in the grass with a simple jug beside him. His dog seems to be in search of activity. This quiet, intimate scene seems to ponder the tensions between duty and freedom, reflecting on what it means to have privilege during a time of significant social change. The man's moment of respite invites us to consider our own place within society's complex structures.