Do You Know What these Renaissance Animals Mean?

The inclusion of animals in paintings was often based on older symbolism, although these earlier meanings were often altered during the Renaissance to represent contemporary attitudes. Let’s take a closer look at some Renaissance masterpieces and see if we can spot the animals before working out what they might be supposed to represent.

Images of birds often represented sacrifice, resurrection, the soul or death. The goldfinch was regularly used in Renaissance art and also symbolizes redemption and healing. It's all based on the biblical story when a goldfinch plucks a thorn from the crucified head of Christ, and a drop of blood falls on its head, leaving a red patch. Rafael uses this symbolism in his Madonna of the Goldfinch.

Snakes and other reptiles have often been used as symbols of evil, especially in the Christian iconography of the Renaissance era. In Albrecht Durer’s Fall of Man (also known as Adam and Eve), a snake is seen encouraging them to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, resulting in their banishment from the Garden of Eden. However, reptiles can also represents rejuvenation because they are able to regrow severed tails and limbs.

The ermine has been a symbol of purity and chastity since ancient times, with the belief that this small creature would rather die than soil its white coat. However, in this Da Vinci masterpiece, the ermine may be less to do with chastity, as the subject Cecilia Galleriano already had a son. The ermine may represent her lover, Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, who had been appointed to the chivalric Order of the Ermine by the King of Naples. 

Dogs often appear as status symbols in Renaissance paintings - combined with a suggestion of fidelity or loyalty. In Titian’s Venus of Urbino, the dog is meant as a symbol of marital fidelity. 

The majestic peacock became a symbol of immortality in Christian art. It all stemmed from the belief that its flesh never decayed, which is why it can be found in large numbers of Renaissance nativity scenes. It serves as a reminder of the Resurrection and eternal life. The peacock’s flamboyant tail is also associated with pride and vanity, although this tends to be used with other subject matter.