Sleeping Dog 1617 - 1681

This is a simple drawing of a sleeping dog by Cornelis Saftleven. The motif of a dog is loaded with symbolic weight, often representing loyalty, vigilance, and companionship. The emotional charge of this image lies in its universality. Dogs, since antiquity, have been deeply intertwined with human life, their images evoking feelings of protection and fidelity. Think of the dogs in ancient Roman mosaics, guarding thresholds and warning off intruders, or the faithful Argos in Homer's Odyssey, who recognizes his master Odysseus after twenty years. Dogs also carry a more complex duality. In some contexts, they represent baser instincts or are seen as impure. But here, the dog's peaceful sleep suggests trust and contentment. The curled-up posture, seen across cultures from ancient Egyptian figurines to modern-day photographs, is a pose of vulnerability and security. This timeless image of a sleeping dog creates an emotive connection that transcends time.