A St Bernard Dog c. 1850 - 1879

Bernard te Gempt painted this large canvas of ‘A St Bernard Dog’ in the 19th century, a period when European artists were often commissioned to capture the likeness of beloved animals. Here, the artist portrays the St Bernard not merely as a pet, but as a symbol. The breed, known for its life-saving efforts in the Swiss Alps, embodies the virtues of loyalty and bravery that were highly prized in the rapidly modernizing societies of the time. Notice how te Gempt frames the dog against a backdrop of a foreboding landscape, accentuating the animal’s role as a protector against the elements. The dog's soulful eyes and sturdy stance evoke a sense of trust, while the romanticized depiction of nature alludes to a simpler, more pastoral past. This painting serves not only as a portrait of an animal, but as an emblem of human-animal relationships, reflecting society's evolving values and anxieties.