Vier studies van honden c. 1660 - 1680

Gesina ter Borch captured these four dog studies on paper with pen and watercolor. Look at the dogs. They appear, at first glance, as simple domestic pets; however, in the 17th century, dogs symbolized loyalty and vigilance but also, paradoxically, lust and temptation. Notice the collars on the dogs; these are not merely decorative. They represent domestication and control. Consider how similar adornments appear across time—from ancient Egyptian animal collars to modern-day pet accessories. Each reflects a human desire to define and manage the natural world. Yet, the semi-feral appearance of these canines defies this control. The dog—a symbol of fidelity—is forever caught between domestication and its wilder instincts. This dichotomy, so subtly rendered by Ter Borch, engages us on a deeper level, reminding us of our internal conflicts and the continuous negotiation between our civilized selves and primal urges. It is a visual echo resonating through centuries, a perpetual cycle of control and freedom, domestication and instinct.