Album prämirter Luxus-Hunde der intern. Ausstellung zu Frankfurt a. M. 1891. 1891

This is the cover of "Album prämirter Luxus-Hunde der intern. Ausstellung zu Frankfurt a. M. 1891," created by Carl Friedrich Fay. It documents prize-winning luxury dogs from the International Exhibition in Frankfurt in 1891. During the late 19th century, dog breeding became a popular pastime among the European upper classes, reflecting the social and economic stratification of the era. Dog shows became a marker of status, celebrating wealth and leisure. This album isn't merely a collection of dog portraits; it's a snapshot of the values of the time, where even animal breeding was tied to notions of class and exclusivity. Reflect on how such seemingly innocent hobbies can be deeply intertwined with societal structures and power dynamics. How do we, even today, project human values and social hierarchies onto our animal companions?