Plafond met hinden en honden 1670 - 1678

This etching, made by Jean Berain, presents a symmetrical ceiling design featuring hounds and does amidst swirling foliage. In the context of 17th-century French art, hunting scenes were popular, often symbolizing the power and opulence of the aristocracy. Observe how the dogs chase the does. This motif stretches back through history, appearing in Roman mosaics and Renaissance tapestries. Here, it evokes a sense of dynamic movement, a dance between predator and prey. Such imagery, deeply rooted in our collective consciousness, speaks to primal instincts of survival. Think, also, of the 'Master of Animals' motif, prevalent in ancient Near Eastern art. It symbolizes humankind's complex relationship with the natural world. The re-emergence of such motifs reveals how cultural memory influences artistic expression, subtly shaping how we perceive our place in the world. The chase, the hunt, it echoes through the ages, always with a touch of something wild and untamed.