Portret van twee onbekende honden 1888 - 1891

Editor: This is “Portrait of two unknown dogs,” a photograph taken between 1888 and 1891 by Friedrich Carel Hisgen. They seem like such characters! One looks incredibly cheerful, and the other… slightly less impressed. What catches your eye about this image? Curator: It’s interesting, isn’t it? More than just a photograph, I see it as a window into a different era, where even our furry companions were deemed worthy of formal portraiture. It tickles me to imagine the dogs' owners, carefully positioning them. But then I think, are we so different today with our endless pet pics? Is it an antique precursor to a modern trend, this impulse to memorialize our beloved friends, and capture their essence? Editor: That’s a great point. I hadn’t thought about the connection to modern pet photography. I guess some things never change! I suppose that it reflects our view of dogs in that era, but the way they are set up mimics family portraits, with a central subject and one slightly to the side. Do you see that reflected in other pieces from this time period? Curator: Absolutely! Notice the oval vignette framing, reminiscent of painted portraits, and the very deliberate posing, on top of that satin pillow, or tablecloth… that attempts to elevate the sitters. These touches transform the mundane into something… well, something attempting to look stately, perhaps even immortal. Editor: So, is it poking fun, or is it sincere? Curator: It’s a wonderful ambiguity. I find it endearing, almost subversive. What do you make of the lighting? It seems carefully considered for something documenting animals. Editor: It's gentle, softening the subjects... It makes me wonder how many treats it took to get them to sit still! Thank you for offering that perspective. It reframes how I think about pet photography, then and now. Curator: My pleasure! Thinking about this piece has been delightful. Now I have to question myself if my cat will permit me to memorialize them for their majesty.