Slapende hond, mogelijk een spaniël 1660 - 1693

Jan Verkolje the Elder created this small etching of a sleeping dog, possibly a spaniel, sometime in the late 17th century in the Netherlands. The image offers us a glimpse into the domestic life of the Dutch Golden Age. During this period, the Netherlands experienced significant economic prosperity and the rise of a powerful merchant class. As a result, there was a growing interest in secular, everyday subjects, and art began to reflect this shift away from purely religious or allegorical themes. The presence of a dog in a domestic setting might seem simple, but it speaks to the increasing importance of pets and the comforts of home as symbols of status and well-being. To fully understand the context of this artwork, we can research the social history of pet ownership in the Netherlands. We can explore how changing attitudes toward animals reflected broader shifts in Dutch society and culture.