Hond aan ketting c. 1639 - 1677

Anthonie van Borssom created this etching titled 'Hond aan ketting', or 'Dog on a Chain', sometime in the 17th century. During the Dutch Golden Age, the Netherlands saw a surge in artistic innovation alongside its rise as a global economic power. At first glance, the image depicts a dog, chained and at rest. But what does it mean to represent an animal in servitude? This work raises questions about freedom, constraint, and the societal roles imposed not just on animals, but perhaps, allegorically, on people as well. The gaze of the dog, seemingly direct and melancholic, invites an emotional connection. The economic structures of 17th-century Dutch society, including those of colonialism and trade, relied on various forms of subjugation. Representations such as this one, therefore, might act as subtle commentaries on power dynamics prevalent during Borssom's time. This understated etching, with its delicate lines, reflects a society grappling with emerging notions of liberty amidst a backdrop of entrenched social hierarchies.