Titelpagina voor: Tesselschade. Jaarboekje voor 1839 1839

This is the title page for "Tesselschade," an annual publication from 1839, etched by Johannes de Mare. The image shows three figures in what appears to be a domestic setting, framed by an arched window and heavy curtains. Note the woman with a dog on her lap; this familiar archetype has roots in antiquity. Images of women with small animals were common in classical art, symbolizing domesticity, fertility, and companionship. Through the centuries, this motif has resurfaced, evolving from representations of goddesses to portraits of noblewomen and bourgeois ladies. The dog, often a symbol of fidelity, adds another layer to this tableau. Think of the collective memory embedded in such images – the subconscious association with comfort, care, and the gentle taming of nature. The emotional power lies in the enduring human need for connection, manifested through our bonds with animals. The motif isn't linear; it cyclically reappears, each time filtered through new cultural lenses, reminding us of the persistent yet evolving narratives of our shared human experience.