A Dog Scratching c. 1630s

Georg Schweigger, a German sculptor, rendered this bronze sculpture, "A Dog Scratching," sometime in the 17th century. During this period, dogs began to be increasingly represented in art, moving beyond mere symbols of loyalty to subjects of affection and companionship, reflecting a shift in human-animal relationships. Schweigger's sculpture captures the raw, unidealized moment of a dog in the act of scratching—an itch, a discomfort, perhaps a sign of neglect. The dog's posture is contorted, its tongue lolling out, evoking empathy. This intimate portrayal challenges the conventional hierarchical relationship between humans and animals, inviting a re-evaluation of our emotional connections with them. The sculpture perhaps also reflects a broader societal interest in naturalism and the everyday, diverging from more formal, idealized representations common in earlier periods. It serves as a poignant reminder of the shared vulnerabilities and experiences that connect us across species.