Boy Fleaing a Dog after 1728

Gerard ter Borch painted this scene of a boy delousing a dog. Such an image goes beyond mere representation; it encapsulates complex historical and cultural meanings. The act of delousing, while practical, carries symbolic weight. In the context of the 17th century, where personal hygiene was precarious, it speaks to the everyday struggles against the unseen, a battle against the impure. Consider its echoes in earlier religious art, where the cleansing of the body mirrors the purification of the soul. This connection isn't accidental. In medieval iconography, dogs often represent loyalty, yet here, the dog’s affliction hints at a deeper unease, a discomfort that resonates with human vulnerabilities. It's the timeless, cyclical progression of this symbol— appearing in different historical contexts, acquiring new layers of significance.