Tre jagthunde 1620 - 1683

Nicolaes Berchem captured these resting canines in an etching. The dog, a symbol laden with meaning, appears here in a common, pastoral scene. Consider how the motif of the dog stretches back through art history. In ancient Greece, dogs were frequently depicted on funerary stelae, symbolizing loyalty and guarding the passage to the afterlife. This symbolism evolved through the Middle Ages, where dogs represented fidelity and vigilance in illuminated manuscripts. The posture of the dogs, some alert, others recumbent, evokes a sense of watchfulness intertwined with domesticity. Freud might argue that animals often embody repressed desires or instincts. Here, the domesticated dog reflects our control over primal instincts, yet their watchful eyes hint at the wildness that remains just beneath the surface. The enduring presence of the dog across art history reminds us of the cyclical nature of symbols. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, reflecting the changing cultural landscapes while retaining echoes of their primal origins.