Een hond van den armen bedelaar / Le chien du pauvre 1833 - 1911

This print by Brepols & Dierckx Zoon, titled *A Dog of a Poor Beggar,* presents a sequence of scenes depicting a narrative. A recurring symbol is the figure of the dog. The dog, our most faithful companion, appears throughout history as a motif representing loyalty, guidance, and protection. We can trace its roots back to ancient Egypt, where dogs were revered as guardians and guides to the afterlife. In this image, the dog acts as a bridge between social classes, forming a bond of compassion. The act of giving to the poor, emphasized here, resurfaces time and again in art history, reminding us of our shared humanity. The artist captures the subconscious appeal of kindness, an act that offers solace and connection. The cyclical progression of the dog motif reveals how deeply rooted symbols evolve, reflecting our persistent need for connection, evolving in meaning but remaining constant in their emotional resonance.