Kop van een hond 1840 - 1880

This is Johannes Tavenraat's "Kop van een hond" or "Head of a Dog," a watercolor on paper. It’s interesting how the domestic sphere increasingly became a subject for artists during the 19th century. In the Netherlands, the middle class was growing and solidifying its cultural values. Dutch artists like Tavenraat found a ready market for intimate scenes of home and hearth. Dogs, especially, were gaining importance as symbols of loyalty, comfort, and companionship. This was at a time when rapid industrialization and urbanization were creating new social stresses. The art market played a key role in shaping what was considered desirable or aesthetically pleasing. Paintings such as this suggest how the institution of the family became ever more significant. To better understand the piece, we might consult household guides and advice manuals from the time, revealing the values that shaped daily life.