Girl at center facing viewer holding in her arms her dog who is sitting up against her left side in image. No color
Throughout history, the dog has often been included in artwork as a symbol of faithfulness. During the 19th century, dogs were often kept as companions rather than as working hunting dogs. Small dogs that could be easily held were often called lapdogs and were known for their friendly disposition. Young children were often put in charge of the family pet to teach them about patience and responsibility. This print is a rare example of an image that has not been hand-colored and may have been sold to be colored at home, thereby matching the color of the dog with that owned by the family.
