Liggende hond aan een ketting 1618 - 1658

Pauwels van Hillegaert created "Liggende hond aan een ketting" or "Lying dog on a chain" using etching techniques. The artwork reflects the social hierarchy prevalent in 17th-century Dutch society, where animals, like marginalized people, were often subjected to control. Dogs were commonly used as symbols of loyalty and status, yet this dog's confinement raises questions about freedom and subjugation. The chain and spiked collar around the dog's neck are implements that signal control. Van Hillegaert captures the emotional state of the chained dog, contrasting it with the free-roaming dog in the background to further emphasize themes of restriction versus freedom. This work prompts reflection on the power dynamics embedded within society.