Sir John Shaw and his Family in the Park at Eltham Lodge, Kent 1761

Arthur Devis painted Sir John Shaw and his Family in the Park at Eltham Lodge, Kent, sometime in the mid-18th century. Note the prominent positioning of the family dog. Dogs, long associated with loyalty and fidelity, often feature in family portraits like this as symbols of domestic virtue and familial bonds. But consider its earlier symbolic weight. In ancient Greece and Rome, the dog was seen as a guardian of the underworld, a protector of souls. The symbolism of the dog has, over time, softened, becoming gentler, but its primal connection to protection and loyalty remains in our collective memory. This portrait captures a moment of serene family life, but the inclusion of the dog, consciously or not, taps into a deeper, more ancient understanding of companionship and security. The emotional power of such a seemingly simple image lies in its ability to engage us on a subconscious level, connecting us to enduring symbols across time.