The dog and his shadow, plate
(c. 1875)
Medium
earthenware
Measurements
2.3 × 22.3 cm diameter
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
The Dr Robert Wilson Collection. Gift of Dr Robert Wilson, 2012
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
This work depicts a tale from Aesop’s fables that warns against being greedy. In the fable, a dog is on its way home carrying a piece of meat when, crossing a bridge, it catches sight of another dog carrying a larger piece of meat. The first dog wants to have both pieces and attempts to snatch the meat from the other dog; it opens its mouth, and the meat falls into the water beneath the bridge. The second dog was merely the first dog’s reflection, and it learns a valuable lesson, being left with no meat at all.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
England
Inscription
impressed in base u.c.: MINTONS
Accession Number
2012.110
Department
International Decorative Arts