Hond liggend op een stoel 1821 - 1890

Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen made this pencil drawing of a dog lying on a chair sometime in the 19th century. The Netherlands in the 1800s was a society undergoing significant change. Rapid industrialization and urbanization led to new social structures and class dynamics. The Dutch Golden Age of art was long past, but artists like Van der Brugghen were exploring new ways of capturing everyday life. Dogs, as domesticated animals, often symbolized loyalty and companionship within the rising middle class. The ornate chair suggests a comfortable domestic setting. The drawing might be seen as a reflection on the values of home and family that were increasingly important during this period of social and economic transformation. To fully understand this work, we can investigate the visual culture of 19th-century Netherlands by researching images in popular magazines and domestic design. Through attention to social context, the art historian uncovers new meanings in art.