Kop van hazewindhond 1849

Here we see Jan Karel Jacob de Jonge’s etching of a greyhound’s head. The dog collar, a mundane object at first glance, echoes a far deeper narrative thread. Consider the Roman mosaic, 'Cave Canem,' which is ‘beware of the dog', signaling both protection and threat. Now look at the collar here; it’s no longer a mere restraint. Across time, the symbol of the dog mutates. In medieval heraldry, dogs represent loyalty, faith, and vigilance, embodying the virtues of nobility. This simple object, the collar, evolves. From antiquity's warning to the medieval heraldry of devotion, the archetype of the faithful dog remains. It taps into our collective memory, resonating with deeply ingrained emotions and universal themes. The image evokes a powerful, subconscious understanding of loyalty and guardianship. It reveals the persistence of primal emotions across the ages.