Zittende hond bij een muur 1666

Cornelis Saftleven made this drawing of a seated dog by a wall in the Netherlands, likely in the mid-17th century. The Dutch Golden Age saw an explosion of genre painting, and a growing interest in secular, everyday subjects. Saftleven, though, was especially known for his paintings of barnyard animals in rustic settings. Dogs in particular had complex associations. They symbolized loyalty and vigilance, but could also be seen as symbols of the lower classes. Here, the dog's somewhat menacing expression, combined with the dilapidated wall, creates a curious scene, far removed from the refined settings we often associate with Dutch art of this period. It seems to reflect on the lives of ordinary people in the Dutch Republic. The interpretation of art like this relies on the work of historians who can bring to life the social context in which art is made. We can better understand the artist's message by exploring archival documents and other historical sources.