17th Century Greyhound Sculpture Aquired by the Rijksmuseum

Bronze Greyhound by Artus Quellinus, 1609-1668

Hat tip to Michèle of Brussels, writer of the wonderful Eurodog blog, who keeps me informed of the latest European dog art news.  When she sent me this post about this magnificent Greyhound bronze , I thought it was a contemporary piece.  In fact, this lifesize dog sculpture was created in the mid-17th century by Artus Qhellinus of Antwerp. 

Note the dog's detailed collar.  On it, is the Roose family coat of arms, so it is thought that this is a dog portrait of the family's pet.  Once again we see there is nothing new in our obsession with our dogs and our desire to memorialize them through art.

This is one of five sculptures recently acquired by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.  Visit their website for more information.