Slapend hondje 1656

This is "Slapend hondje," or "Sleeping Dog," an etching by Frans van Mieris, made sometime in the mid-17th century. Immediately, you’ll notice the image is dominated by densely etched lines which coalesce to form the shape of a small dog curled in repose. The composition is striking. Mieris uses hatching to suggest the texture of the dog's fur, creating a sense of depth and volume. Notice how the darkest areas, particularly around the dog’s hindquarters and the shadowed corner, provide contrast, making the lighter fur appear to glow. The etching technique itself informs our reading. The cross-hatching not only defines form but also blurs the distinction between figure and ground. This merging of the dog with its surroundings could be interpreted through the lens of post-structuralism, where fixed categories and boundaries are destabilized. Even in rendering the domestic, Mieris hints at the fluidity of perception.