En siddende buldog. Den tyske maler William Bottomleys hund. 1843 - 1846

Editor: We're looking at "En siddende buldog. Den tyske maler William Bottomleys hund." (A Sitting Bulldog, The German Painter William Bottomley's Dog), a sculpture by J.A. Jerichau, created sometime between 1843 and 1846. It's currently held at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst. The detail is captivating. What strikes you about it? Curator: Isn't he splendid? I mean, the dog. Though I suspect William Bottomley was pretty great, too. But looking at this… he embodies a kind of steadfast loyalty, doesn't he? See how the light catches the subtle modelling of his brow? It's like Jerichau is inviting us to contemplate the very nature of companionship. And, it must be said, a slightly comical one. Don't you think? Editor: He does seem like a character. There’s almost a human-like awareness in his gaze. Do you think Jerichau was aiming for realism, or perhaps something more idealized? Curator: Oh, that’s the question, isn’t it? On the one hand, you have this precise rendering of musculature. The Neoclassical training shows through. And yet… those soulful eyes, the almost imperceptible droop of his jowls – those elements suggest something beyond mere physical likeness. Maybe he wanted to capture the *essence* of this particular bulldog, not just any bulldog. Editor: So, almost like a canine portrait, elevating the dog to the level of a respected subject? Curator: Precisely! Perhaps a commentary on the emerging bourgeois appreciation for pets… Or maybe Jerichau was simply a dog lover. What do *you* think, now that you’ve spent a little longer with him? Editor: I definitely see that individualized quality now, a character beyond just a generic depiction of a breed. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: And thank you for prompting me to see the dog anew! It's funny how fresh perspectives can really transform your understanding, isn't it?