The Threatened Swan by Jan Asselijn

The oil painting of The Threatened Swan by Dutch Artist Jan Asselijn was created around 1650. The swan appears to be threatened by a dog rearing its ugly head. Some claim the swan is mute. The swan could be protecting its cygnets, as they often ride on their mother’s back, although none are seen. Others assert that mysterious words had been added to the painting to symbolize the gruesome killing of the De Witt Brothers in 1672—that period of Dutch history was marked by royal invasions and crazed political mobs. Transcending historical time and place, the swan is the personification of “hue and cry.” No sounds are uttered, but in this great painting you can hear the alarms going off. Something terrible is happening. The Swan is merely standing up to protect its turf.

The painting is on exhibit at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.