Beer aangevallen door honden 1672

Abraham Hondius made this etching, *Bear Attacked by Dogs*, in the Netherlands sometime in the mid-17th century. Images of animals, especially in conflict, were popular at this time. But they weren’t just about representing the natural world. The relationship between humans and animals was changing. Hunting was becoming less of a necessity and more of a sport for the wealthy. Images like this one could reflect anxieties about the relationship between domesticity and the wild, civilization and nature. Is the bear a symbol of untamed wilderness being brought under control? Or is it a reminder of the unpredictable power of nature? To understand this print better, we might research the history of hunting practices in the Netherlands, the symbolism of animals in Dutch art, and the role of prints in disseminating ideas and images. The meaning of art is always tied to its historical and social context.