Konen og hesten; Pudelhunden 1845

Adolph Kittendorff created this intriguing print, "Konen og hesten; Pudelhunden," depicting a woman with a horse and a Poodle dog. The horse here, seemingly docile, evokes the classical motif of the loyal steed, a symbol deeply rooted in mythology and folklore. Think of the horses of Achilles, inseparable from their master's fate, or the steeds of the Valkyries, carrying souls to Valhalla. And now consider the dog. Canis familiaris. Since ancient times, they have stood as guardians of hearth and home, representing fidelity and vigilance. In ancient Egypt, jackal-headed gods like Anubis watched over the dead, and throughout the ages, dogs have been featured in art as symbols of loyalty. This archetype reappears across cultures. These images tap into a collective memory, a shared understanding that transcends time. It is not merely a horse, not merely a dog. They engage us on a subconscious level, stirring emotions of loyalty, protection, and the powerful connection between humans and animals. These primal bonds resonate through the ages, resurfacing in art to remind us of the enduring currents of human experience.