Cephalus Receiving the Spear and Hound from Procris 1639 - 1649

Laurent de La Hyre etched "Cephalus Receiving the Spear and Hound from Procris." A spear, prominently held by Procris, symbolizes power and destiny. This motif echoes through art history, from classical depictions of Athena to Renaissance portrayals of military leaders. Consider how the spear, once purely a tool of war, transforms into a scepter, a symbol of authority. We see it again and again, representing governance and control. The dog, a universal symbol of fidelity, also speaks volumes. Here, it represents the unbreakable bond between humans and animals, and perhaps foreshadows the tragic irony of Procris's death by Cephalus's own hand. Such symbols engage our subconscious, tapping into deeply rooted cultural memories. These images—the weapon, the loyal hound—resonate across epochs, continually evolving.