Voor het plakboek / (8) 1875 - 1903

This illustrated print, created by Jan de Haan, depicts various scenes of daily life in the Netherlands. Among these vignettes, the image of a child playing with a dog stands out. Consider the motif of the dog. Across cultures, the dog appears as a symbol of loyalty, protection, and companionship. From the faithful Cerberus guarding the gates of the Underworld in Greek mythology to the domestic companions depicted in countless Renaissance portraits, the dog embodies a primal connection between humans and the animal world. In ancient Egypt, the jackal-headed god Anubis guided souls through the afterlife, while in many indigenous cultures, dogs are seen as spiritual guides and guardians. This duality—protective yet wild, domestic yet instinctual—reveals the complex psychological projections humans place upon these creatures. The image here, though simple, echoes this deep-seated relationship, tapping into our collective memory of the dog as a steadfast and loving presence.