Hond 1862 - 1864

This pencil drawing of a dog comes to us from the hand of Johannes Tavenraat. Here we see a canine form, rendered with sparse but telling strokes. The figure of the dog stretches far back into the history of symbols. From ancient Egypt, where jackals were associated with funerary rites, to Greece, where Cerberus guarded the gates of the underworld, the dog has long been a potent symbol. Often, it stands for loyalty and vigilance, but sometimes hints at death. Observe how the dog is rendered in a state of repose. Note that the pose is reminiscent of dogs found on tombstones and other funerary monuments, where it evokes a sense of mourning. Over time the figure of the dog has reappeared, evolving with the changing cultures. Yet, in each form it carries a trace of the primal bond between humans and animals, a bond so deep it resides in our collective memory.