Staande en slapende hond 1803

Adam von Bartsch made this etching, “Standing and Sleeping Dog,” in the late 18th or early 19th century, a time of significant social and political upheaval in Europe. The print depicts two dogs in a simple landscape. One dog stands alert, while the other lies asleep at its feet. In eighteenth and early nineteenth-century Europe, the image of the dog was used as a symbol of loyalty and fidelity, often associated with the aristocracy and their perceived virtues. However, the somewhat scruffy appearance of these dogs might suggest a subtle commentary on the changing social order. Bartsch was not only an artist but also a prominent art historian and curator at the Albertina in Vienna. His catalog of prints became a foundational text in art history. His institutional position gave him unique insight into the role of art in shaping cultural values. By studying Bartsch and his influences we can better understand the social and institutional contexts that shaped artistic production during this transformative period.