Animal Friendship 

Carl Reichert painted “Animal Friendship” using oil on canvas sometime between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. This sentimental barnyard scene reflects the emerging values of the European bourgeoisie. As cities grew, pets became fashionable status symbols, particularly dogs which symbolized loyalty. Meanwhile, newly formed animal protection leagues gave people an outlet for advocating a kinder, gentler society. Reichert's painting speaks to both trends. He posed these animals from different species together to project a harmony that mirrored the peaceable, prosperous world of the middle class. To fully understand such imagery, we need to consult sources beyond the canvas. Art history provides us the tools to interpret such works in their full social and institutional context. Catalogues of dog breeds and animal welfare publications help us better appreciate this artwork as more than just a simple barnyard scene.