Fotoreproductie van een schilderij van een zittende hond door Joseph Stevens before 1900

This is a photographic reproduction by Alexandre, made around 1900, of a painting by Joseph Stevens of a seated dog. During the 19th century, the rising middle class embraced domesticity, with pets, particularly dogs, becoming symbols of loyalty and status. Stevens, who came from a family of artists, often depicted animals with a sensitivity that mirrored human emotions, embedding societal values into his work. The dog in the painting is portrayed with a calm, almost melancholic expression. Alexandre's photograph captures the texture and tone of Steven’s original brushstrokes, and invites consideration of how the original painting becomes recontextualized through the lens of photography. The photographic reproduction extends the painting's reach, making it accessible to a broader audience, and reflects the era's fascination with capturing and disseminating images. This image invites us to reflect on how we project our own emotions and narratives onto animals, and how these representations mirror our societal values.