Kopf eines Windhundes nach links 

"Kopf eines Windhundes nach links" or "Head of a Greyhound facing left" was made by Johan le Ducq, an artist working in the Dutch Golden Age when the Netherlands was a major power, and the wealthy commissioned many portraits and genre scenes. Le Ducq uses red, black, and white chalk to capture the distinct features of the greyhound, a breed associated with aristocracy. The open mouth and visible teeth might suggest aggression, yet, this portrayal departs from traditional representations of dogs as symbols of loyalty and domesticity. There’s something unsettling in the depiction, and the dog’s expression raises questions about the relationship between humans and animals, or the gaze of the artist. Dogs were often symbolic of their owners and, at times, perceived as extensions of human identity. Le Ducq’s greyhound makes us consider our bond with the natural world. As we grapple with ongoing ecological concerns, perhaps this drawing serves as a poignant reflection on our connections to the animals around us.