Study of Dogs 

Editor: This is James Seymour's "Study of Dogs," of unknown date, and it's just a simple sketch of two dogs in profile. What's interesting to you about it? Curator: The dog, throughout art history, often symbolizes loyalty, guardianship, but also subjugation. Considering Seymour’s context, England in the 18th century, how might class and power dynamics be reflected in this seemingly simple study? Who benefited from this loyalty? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. I was just seeing the dogs, not what they represent. Curator: Exactly. It encourages us to examine how these animals were, and sometimes still are, instrumentalized within social hierarchies. It’s about who holds the leash, figuratively and literally. Editor: I’m going to be looking at animal studies very differently now. Curator: It’s a powerful reminder that art is always in conversation with society.