Le chien ‘chinois’ 1884

Carolus-Duran painted "Le chien 'chinois'" with oil. This so-called Chinese dog—likely a type of pug—is portrayed with a solemn, almost human-like expression, set against a stark red background. The dog, long a symbol of fidelity, takes on a more nuanced role here. We see the dog not merely as a pet but as a mirror reflecting human emotions, a melancholic gaze. The dog's presence, collared and domesticated, contrasts with its primal nature, a tension familiar from ancient Egyptian depictions of jackals associated with death, to the loyal hounds of medieval heraldry. In its melancholic expression, the dog transcends its symbolic role. Its eyes, filled with what seems to be an awareness, engage us on a deep, subconscious level. This image reminds us that symbols are never fixed but are living entities that evolve and adapt.