Hundehvalpen 1845

Adolph Kittendorff, a 19th-century Danish artist, created this etching, "Hundehvalpen," which translates to "The Puppy." This intimate scene invites us to consider the relationship between domestic animals and the social order of the time. The older, chained dog looks warily out of its wooden house while a younger dog approaches. The chain and dog house suggest the idea of property and confinement. During the 19th century, particularly within bourgeois society, pets became increasingly symbolic of status and domestic comfort. Kittendorff’s image, through its medium and subject matter, speaks to the growing cultural interest in animals, and the beginning of animal rights awareness. By looking at sources from the period, we can gain greater insight into the changing roles of animals in society and the cultural values that shaped their representation in art.