Some fun history for this winter morning:
Did you know that throughout much of American and European history, squirrels were popular house pets? They were loved for their intelligent and amusing nature, often kept for children of well-to-do families, as a way to learn responsibility and empathy. Squirrels were such popular and stylish companions, they were often included in portraits and fitted with collars and leashes.
Beyond being adorable, squirrels in early portraiture often carried deeper meaning. Depicting these wild and intelligent creatures as domesticated and gently restrained by their masters, could suggest different things depending on context of the painting.
In some portraits, they referenced family heraldry or signaled status and refinement, in others, especially images of children, they evoked innocence and the tenderness of domestic life. The pet squirrel wasn’t simply a novelty, it quietly reflected affection, cultivation, and the values of the household it appeared within.
Keeping squirrels as house pets went out of fashion by the early 20th century for a variety of reasons, mostly due to their highly energetic and sometimes destructive nature, as well as various health concerns. Fortunately, we still get to enjoy their antics in our backyards.
