Portret van een hond 1870 - 1890

Sophus Williams captured this intimate portrait of a dog, utilizing the carte-de-visite format, a popular photographic trend in the mid-19th century. During this period, photographing pets became a symbol of bourgeois comfort and companionship, reflecting a shift in societal values towards domesticity. In this context, the portrait does more than capture the likeness of the dog, it suggests a narrative about middle-class life in the 19th century. The choice of subject matter reflects how social status was expressed through images of domestic life. It's worth pondering on the power dynamics in this image. In the past, dogs were seen as property of the aristocracy, but here the image has the effect of transforming the dog into a domesticated companion. This photograph invites us to consider the roles animals play in reflecting and shaping our own societal values.