Head of a Dog from New Holland 1860

Charles Meryon made this etching, Head of a Dog from New Holland, without a specific date attached to it. The image may appear simple, but consider the colonial context of its creation. ‘New Holland’ was the name given to Australia by the Dutch in the 17th century, but by Meryon’s time in the 19th century, it evoked the history of European exploration and settlement, especially of the displacement of indigenous populations and the introduction of new species, which inevitably had profound effects on the environment. What does it mean to depict this animal, from this place, in this way? Is it a symbol of the exotic ‘other’, brought back to Europe as a curiosity? Or is it a commentary on the impact of colonization on the natural world? Art historians consider these questions by researching the colonial history of Australia and the artist’s personal background. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.