Water Spaniel c. 18th century

Curator: Samuel Howitt, an artist active in England during the late 1700s and early 1800s, created this striking etching titled "Water Spaniel." The scene just pulses with action, doesn't it? Editor: It does. I'm struck by the dog's coiled energy, that instinctive hunting pose. It’s like he’s a spring about to release, embodying raw instinct, maybe even a bit of human ambition, distilled. Curator: Absolutely! Notice how the artist uses the reeds to almost frame the dog, emphasizing its readiness. And those birds taking flight in the background? It's all about anticipation, that pivotal moment before the chase. Editor: Right, and water here often symbolizes purification or transition. Is the dog plunging into something new, a test of skill? Maybe Howitt's hinting at the deeper human relationship with animals. Curator: Fascinating point. It’s tempting to see the dog's focus, that unwavering drive, reflected back at us, inviting us to question what we're chasing in our own lives. Editor: Exactly! The animal becomes a mirror, and the hunt a metaphor. Curator: Howitt's print offers us a surprisingly contemplative space, cleverly disguised as a dynamic hunting scene. Editor: It certainly does! It's more than just a dog and a duck, it's a journey into ourselves.