Deze hond bijt niet 1833 - 1870

Editor: Here we have "Deze hond bijt niet," or "This dog does not bite," created sometime between 1833 and 1870 by Glenisson & Van Genechten. It's a drawing in ink on paper, and I find its simple lines quite charming. What do you see in this piece, particularly considering the historical context? Curator: This drawing, on the surface, appears to be a simple, almost naive depiction of a dog. But let's consider it within the rise of the bourgeoisie and shifting social structures. Dogs, in this period, were often symbolic. The collar signifies ownership, status and perhaps even the subjugation of nature for domestic comfort. Does the artist's declaration that the dog 'does not bite' reinforce bourgeois ideals of safety and control? Or is there a more subtle critique at play? Editor: So you're suggesting the drawing is not just a cute dog picture but potentially a commentary on power dynamics within society? Curator: Exactly. Think about it. Who benefits from the assurance that this dog – a symbol of power and loyalty – is harmless? Is it a message directed towards a particular class, reassuring them of their dominance? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered that the seemingly innocent declaration of "This dog does not bite" could be interpreted as a kind of political or social statement. I initially saw just a drawing of a dog but it may function as some form of a propaganda! Curator: Precisely. The beauty of art lies in its capacity to reflect and refract the social conditions from which it emerges. Always ask "who is being reassured, and why?" when encountering an image like this. Editor: That's really changed my perspective. Thanks for pointing that out!