Pet Pug, from the Household Pets series (N194) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1891

This card, from a series by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., presents a lady adorned in red, cradling a pug. The pug, here a signifier of domestic comfort, has had a long journey through art history. Consider, for a moment, its flattened face. The pug’s distinct physiognomy, once a symbol of Chinese Imperial favor, has been transported across continents. The small dog emerges in European courts as a lapdog of nobility. The woman’s feathered hat is reminiscent of those worn by the aristocracy, implying luxury and perhaps a touch of vanity. The motif of the pampered dog has not remained static. Through time it has resurfaced, evolving from an emblem of royal privilege to a symbol of bourgeois domesticity. The image touches upon our collective memories, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, and perhaps sparking a range of emotions tied to status and companionship.