Hond bij drie koeien 1597 - 1633

Jean Leclerc etched this scene of a dog and three cows, sometime in the late 16th or early 17th century. Note how the artist places the watchful dog as a guardian figure. The dog, with its attentive posture, is a symbol of loyalty and vigilance. It echoes the classical motif of the watchful guardian, found in ancient Roman art, guarding flocks, homes, and even the entrances to the underworld. This iconography appears again and again, from Cerberus, the multi-headed hound of Hades, to the faithful dogs depicted in Renaissance portraiture. Consider also the figure of the woman, potentially representing charity or pastoral care. It is evocative of similar figures of generosity in medieval tapestries, highlighting the enduring human connection with the land and its creatures. The subconscious mind recognizes these symbols, triggering deep-seated emotional responses to loyalty and care. The image, therefore, goes beyond a mere depiction of animals, engaging us on a profoundly instinctive level. It is a testament to how archetypes can travel through time, reappearing in art to stir our collective memory.