A dog's head 

Johann Heinrich Roos rendered this dog's head in sanguine, a drawing medium known for its warm, blood-red tones. This familiar canine form speaks to a long history. Since antiquity, dogs have been symbols of loyalty and vigilance, qualities that resonate deeply within the human psyche. Consider the ancient Roman mosaics depicting cave canem, ‘beware of the dog,’ a potent warning imbued with a sense of protection. Roos’s dog, though, is rendered with such tenderness that it evokes a softer reading, reminding us of the dog as a symbol of companionship and unconditional love. This tenderness contrasts with the hellhound Cerberus, guardian of the underworld, revealing a duality embedded in the canine form. The emotional depth conveyed here taps into our collective memory, stirring primal feelings of loyalty and connection. This image, in its humble beauty, transcends its immediate context, echoing across time and culture, reminding us of the enduring bond between humans and animals.