Portrait of a lady with a dog 

Lavinia Fontana, an artist from Bologna, painted this portrait of a lady with a dog, although we do not know exactly when. The small dog is the most telling feature of this portrait, as it sits prominently in her arms. Since antiquity, dogs have symbolized fidelity and loyalty. During the Renaissance, dogs often appear in portraits of women to signify marital faithfulness. But I ask: is there also an element of the psyche revealed here? Consider how, even now, dogs are used as symbols of emotional support. This motif has appeared throughout history, such as in Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, as a symbol of not only fidelity, but companionship. The emotional power of this image, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level, stems from the need for connection. These symbols are not static. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different contexts, and it becomes clear how images from the past return in new forms, continuing to shape our understanding of the human experience.