What is the cultural and/or religious significance of canines being depicted in Western Art throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance?

Question

Throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance especially, dogs are depicted in a wide variety of works sitting in a woman's lap or laying on the bed in various stages of rest. What is the cultural and/or religious significance of these dogs? Also, please take note of the specific type of paintings these dogs are recurring in.

Answer 1

Dogs have long been used in Renaissance art with strong symbolism. Their qualities were often mixed from vigilance, faithfulness, and wisdom to anger, lechery, and avarice. Depending on the artist and subject matter of the painting. In the 12th century, medieval scholars formalized certain readings by publishing the Bestiary—an illustrated guide that offered both natural history and moral associations for a wide range of creatures.

Dogs symbolized fidelity in Jan van Eyck ’s portrait of a married couple, as well as female seduction.

I hope this answer helped.

Mitzi