Portret van W. J. Kribs Possibly 1852 - 1853

This is Johann Peter Berghaus's lithographic portrait of W. J. Kribs, a work that captures the essence of bourgeois respectability. Note the figure's confident yet gentle placement of his hand upon his dog; in the visual language of the 19th century, the dog is a symbol of fidelity, loyalty, and domesticity. But let us look further back: dogs have appeared in art since the dawn of civilization, from the protective hounds guarding the gates of the underworld in ancient Egyptian art, to their association with the hunt in classical Roman mosaics. The dog, therefore, is not just a pet but a charged signifier deeply rooted in our collective unconscious. Here, the emotional bond between man and dog becomes a potent symbol, engaging us on a subconscious level, evoking feelings of warmth and companionship. It reminds us of the cyclical nature of these symbols, how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, connecting us to the past, while echoing in the present.