Teef met puppies 1654

Pauwels van Hillegaert created this small etching of dogs and puppies in the 17th century. It presents us with a scene teeming with life—a dog nursing her pups, others frolicking nearby, and an old woman in the background tending to a basket of newborns. The dog here isn't merely a domestic animal, but a symbol deeply rooted in human consciousness, representing loyalty, protection, and maternal care. Consider how the image of the nurturing dog mirrors ancient depictions of mother goddesses, their breasts overflowing with life-giving sustenance. We see echoes of this primal, maternal archetype in the protective stance of the mother dog, a universal image that transcends time and culture. This scene is not only a depiction of animal life but an embodiment of the cycle of life itself. It resurfaces throughout art history, reminding us of the enduring, subconscious connections we share with the natural world.