The fragments of this terracotta statue of a lying dog, probably modelled on a dog that belonged to one of the sons of Peter-Ernst von Mansfeld (1517-1604), governor of the Duchy of Luxembourg when it was part of the Spanish Netherlands, were found at the entrance to the “grotto” that had been built for Mansfeld at his mansion at Clausen. Accessible from the gardens, this artificial grotto was not only meant to entertain Mansfeld’s visitors: indeed, its primary purpose was to house and display part of his antique collection, for instance stone and marble statues of Roman emperors and deities. The grotto was one of the elements of the large ceremonial garden that surrounded the mansion. The terracotta dog, with its majestic pose and sinister look, was originally coloured. Hidden in a niche, it surprised visitors to the grotto. According to historian Jean-Guillaume Wiltheim, some visitors were even frightened at the sight of this dog who seemed to be guarding the works of art displayed there.

Clausen Palace fell into disuse after the death of its builder Peter-Ernst von Mansfeld, who had bequeathed his works of art to the King of Spain. Over the centuries, the mansion, largely emptied of its contents, became a ruin of which little remains today. The site has recently become a public park.

Text | CC BY-NC | Régis Moes