Animals in 17th Century Dutch Art: Reflections on Human Behaviour

Interesting online lecture from the National Gallery on animals and symbolism in Dutch 17th century art.

Belle Smith led us through various paintings in the gallery’s collection looking at their symbolism. Although it was billed as being about animals it broadened out into symbolism in general. It was well done in a video presentation with a Q&A after but I’ve gone over this ground quite a lot recently and I didn’t learn much that was new to me.

It was nice to visit some old favourites such as this picture by Jan Miense Molenaer along with “Boy and a Girl with an Eel and a Cat” by his wife, Judith Leyster. Both had hidden agendas on peace and war.

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