Het ras der honden 1828 - 1853

This print, "Het ras der honden", showcases various dog breeds in a grid, created by Johannis Waleson. Each dog is meticulously rendered, almost as a specimen in a scientific compendium. Consider the repeated motif of the domesticated animal. Dogs, since ancient times, have been symbols of loyalty and vigilance. In ancient Egyptian art, dogs appeared as protectors of households. This protective symbolism echoes through time, and we see it mirrored even in modern roles like service dogs. But there's also the primal association: the dog as a descendant of the wolf, embodying untamed instincts tamed by human connection. This tension—between wild and domestic—evokes a psychological resonance. The image of the dog, repeated and categorized, reminds us of humanity's perpetual attempt to understand and control nature, a drive rooted deeply in our subconscious.