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

This print, "Pet Rabbit" from the Household Pets series, was issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. It presents a curious alignment of signs. The composition centres on a woman tenderly holding a white rabbit adorned with a blue bow. A second rabbit sits on her shoulder, all against a backdrop of delicate pink hues. The colour palette, dominated by soft pastels, creates a gentle, almost dreamlike atmosphere. This domestic scene seems simple, but consider its semiotic structure. The rabbits, symbols of innocence and domesticity, are juxtaposed with the woman's attire, which suggests both purity and an erotic undertone. The bow on the rabbit is echoed by the ribbon on her shoulder, creating a visual link between the woman and the pet. Does the image therefore blur the boundaries between human and animal, domesticity and desire? The image creates a complex interplay of signs and signifiers. The artwork destabilizes established meanings, values, or categories, leaving us to ponder the cultural codes embedded within this seemingly innocent portrayal.