Chained
Chained on one side of the entrance path to Le Grand Rond park in Toulouse, a female dog , guarding her pups, holds a 'conversation' with the wolf and her cub on the other side of the path though there seems to be a great deal of aggression involved, judging by the detail of the stance and facial features and a perceived determination for each to protect her young from the other.
I assume it illustrates La Fontaine's fable in which the starving wolf asks the dog how he stays so sleek and well-fed but then notices the mark on his neck where he is chained by his master - the penalty for depending on human help. At this point the wolf decides that captivity is not worth the sacrifice and makes off, resolved to keep his freedom.
The sculptor was Pierre-Louis Rouillard (1820-1881), renowned for his lifelike animal sculptures. This work was erected in 1865.
Chained
Chained on one side of the entrance path to Le Grand Rond park in Toulouse, a female dog , guarding her pups, holds a 'conversation' with the wolf and her cub on the other side of the path though there seems to be a great deal of aggression involved, judging by the detail of the stance and facial features and a perceived determination for each to protect her young from the other.
I assume it illustrates La Fontaine's fable in which the starving wolf asks the dog how he stays so sleek and well-fed but then notices the mark on his neck where he is chained by his master - the penalty for depending on human help. At this point the wolf decides that captivity is not worth the sacrifice and makes off, resolved to keep his freedom.
The sculptor was Pierre-Louis Rouillard (1820-1881), renowned for his lifelike animal sculptures. This work was erected in 1865.