Hond zoekt in de stam van een boom 1663

This is an undated, anonymous print titled "Hond zoekt in de stam van een boom" which translates to "Dog searching in the trunk of a tree," currently held in the Rijksmuseum. The print functions as the title page for “Le Cid” a tragicomedy written by the French playwright Pierre Corneille, first performed in 1637. The image depicts a dog sniffing at a tree, underneath which is a banner with the word “Quaerendo,” Latin for “searching.” The use of Latin here situates the work in a tradition of classical learning, yet the presence of a dog also suggests a more common, earthly pursuit. Dogs have historically been symbols of fidelity and companionship but also of the hunt, often embodying class distinctions tied to leisure and land ownership. This image captures a sense of searching, not just on a literal level but perhaps also for deeper meaning or understanding. It could be seen to represent the human quest for truth, love, or perhaps even a lost part of oneself.