Onze vrienden uit de dierenwereld 1874

This print by De Ruyter & Meijer depicts different scenes of domestic animals interacting with people. Here we see a variety of animals, each carrying their own symbolic weight. The dog, for instance, appears in multiple scenes. Since antiquity, the dog has represented fidelity and guardianship. We see echoes of this symbolism in ancient Egyptian art with Anubis, the jackal-headed god of the afterlife, as well as in classical depictions of dogs accompanying Diana, the goddess of the hunt. But observe how the meaning shifts here. While the dog retains its loyalty, it is now situated within a bourgeois domestic setting. The parrot too, traditionally a symbol of mimicry and exoticism, is now a domesticated pet. These animals offer a glimpse into the evolving relationship between humans and the natural world. The cultural memory embedded in these animal symbols continues to resonate, reminding us of our intertwined history and shared subconscious connection.