Collection Online

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