Mythological Or Allegorical Scene With A Male Figure, A Dog, And A Cat– Painting , 17th Century

A rare and evocative 17th-century oil painting on canvas, depicting an enigmatic scene of strong symbolic intensity.
The work depicts a complex scene: at the heart of this composition, a human figure emerges from the shadows, immersed in a twilight landscape. Its intense expression evokes a moment of contemplation or mysterious expectation. On the right, in the foreground, a powerful and alert dog stands in a statuesque pose, wearing an embroidered collar, a symbol of loyalty and protection. On the left, a solitary cat, curled up, suggests calm and introspection.
The mountainous background is illuminated by the remnants of a sunset or sunrise, conveying a sense of mystery and vastness. The scene is shrouded in a suspended, almost dreamlike atmosphere, uniting animals and humans in a balanced and narrative composition.
The iconography remains deliberately ambiguous: the scene could allude to reinterpreted classical myths (such as Hercules at the Crossroads or Orpheus), or to a moral allegory on the eternal tension between instinct, reason, and desire. The dog's studded collar features the initials "A.S." This likely alludes to an allegorical motto or the cryptic signature of the artist or patron, a common practice in regional Baroque painting where the artist hid his or her name within the composition. This detail further enriches the work's iconographic complexity and underscores its cultured and symbolic nature: possible interpretations include "Amor Sacrificii" or "Anima Sana," evoking themes of fidelity, instinctual control, and spiritual tension.
The work displays a solid anatomical approach, psychological attention, and erudite iconography typical of 17th-century Emilian school painting.
An original, cultured, and impactful work, ideal for collectors of Baroque art and lovers of symbolic painting.
55 x 114 cm (including frame)
37 x 95 cm