Morganmobile: Spring(ing)

Zoom

Zoom

As described in medieval bestiaries (books of beasts), dogs are the cleverest animal of all: perceptive creatures that recognize their own names and love their owners. Underscoring canine loyalty and intelligence, this image shows a faithful dog grieving for his murdered master, then springing up to identify and apprehend the murderer. The moral is clear: although sinners may be able to hide their evil deeds from other people, God and his creatures will discern the truth.

Worksop Bestiary, England, possibly Lincoln or York, ca. 1185, Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan in 1902; MS M.81, fol. 28r.