Portret van een gezin aan een tuintafel met hond c. 1890 - 1895

This is a photograph of a family at a garden table with their dog by A. Th. Baert. The photograph captures a bourgeois family assembled around a garden table, a common motif in 19th-century portraiture that symbolizes domesticity and stability. One striking motif is the dog. The dog has been an emblem of fidelity and companionship for centuries. In medieval and Renaissance art, dogs were often depicted alongside noblewomen, representing loyalty. Here, the dog is a symbol of familial affection and the comforts of home. Consider how this contrasts with ancient portrayals of dogs in mythology, like Cerberus guarding the gates of the Underworld. Over time, the dog's symbolic role has evolved, yet echoes of its primal connection to humanity persist. Such images evoke a deep, subconscious yearning for connection and stability, tapping into our collective memory. The portrait becomes more than just a depiction of a family; it is an assertion of values and an emotional anchoring point, resonating with viewers across generations.