Dogs are gorgeous creatures. That’s why we fill our phones up with pictures of them from every angle doing anything imaginable (well.. at least I do.) It’s also why they’ve appeared in works of art since they first became man’s best friend.
As our relationship with dogs has evolved over the course of human history, so have the ways they inspire our art. Here are some interesting impacts dogs have had on human artistic expression over the last several thousand years.
Over 2000 years of dogs in art history (via @mymodernmet): https://t.co/VRcs6rIQKJ pic.twitter.com/DBBtSbhFpF
— Artsy (@artsy) April 5, 2018
How Long Have Dogs Been Depicted In Art?
https://www.facebook.com/artedossiergiunti/photos/bc.Abq4uYnTFybpeKIWS0aVbGiHdF3z5bh_9slsfvHHq_0Gh4LVQdsalJWgJYzhihb_RnHgBsjEkWfcyGbWrB8DU6xvYiW5yWFficJhg0hCKFW-rPkR5tTLK6ObaaRIcwiguNJxH2WF6LED5JVJDGqVNBbb/837741136274803/?type=1&opaqueCursor=AbqWX2BP7sMaEegy_H5cXLX7hUpo6DtKWv5icKvOBJ8oUsHCeNvw4DKh7-RBiE6IqdHJo0oHnvOC3ksGonp7eB7u06Ozd-H2uCofcflmn7ASrRJx7DfYE4A4idRaROxqwt6SYW5tDxgHgWIdgiXS2KkVDyCYGEeBbd2YB8u0nvek3aZGvVZ0paWnVuI_PDJ-CcQWSa33dBYztEjEqc_L4T5EEzKHsTdIY9q05gFY7iUNO1njIz0GIWoPeULmE74PcHdu_f3cm4HHZD8BoTtRHt48NOBzbHDtYkPgWV786A7FHE6XeHY00k561S4A6eTPnCaFazy9PAFHEmmWCgfezUq498yR4kbbULIPTThIEVqEXwNd1CUm7MJlk4q80CLD-Mrral4oaeN5cOOotP6_JYjNdlB_8qXydS7u24LfwiDbC-f09rNuOLlrVkGvdstmmpfzUWoTbkDjTrTUvrq7K4NMn0w91ma46ULPLkixf91n-9m-NAICiHlydz3TMztkQVwxbXF5UJ5ZCxTTlpGW-uGMnZjZiJ83OxIp1iPYMI1vfkv0lVfDUiaYq7iRWiirow0TEENYljjR7c-a6SH2IeGASVDenbh2yQ2PIdLIKnLXrQ&theater
Dogs have inspired people for thousands of years, and there’s plenty of artistic evidence to prove it.
A mosaic of a dog was found in the House of the Tragic Poet in Pompeii, a structure built in its existing form towards the end of the first century BC. The words written at the bottom of the mosaic, Cave Canem, basically translate to “beware of the dog.” Historians believe though that this phrase was meant to inform visitors that there were dogs inside, and not to threaten.
This mosaic is one of the oldest depictions of a dog in art history.
Dogs In Art Vs. Dogs As The Stars Of Art
Though dogs appeared in art very early on in humanity’s relationship with them, they weren’t always the focus.
In many early works, dogs were included in portraits, showing how long a dog’s companionship has been important to people. Portraits commissioned by upper-class people during the Renaissance-era often featured a dog at the subject’s side or sitting on their lap.
Portrait of Lady Barber in a Landscape, James Jebusa Shannon (1912) @BarberInstitute #artdogs #painting #barberinstitute #dogsoftwitter pic.twitter.com/lXd3e6gFUy
— Art Dogs (@art_dogs_) March 20, 2017
Dogs were also often frequently in paintings as parts of larger scenes, usually as working or hunting dogs.
An Otter Hunt, near Canonbie, Sam Bough (1864) @TullieHouse #artdogs #painting #dogsoftwitter #tulliehouse pic.twitter.com/Ww0ObwiRVP
— Art Dogs (@art_dogs_) March 19, 2017
As dog breeds became standardized during the 18th century, artists began creating dog portraits in which the dogs were the stars of the piece and not just workers or accessories. Eventually, dogs would also go on to become stars of drawings, sculptures, and more.
"Dogs Playing Poker: A Friend in Need" (1903), Cassius Marcellus Coolidge (EE.UU) – Óleo pic.twitter.com/TR1UR0Gt2a
— Arte al día (@arteaIdia) September 20, 2019
Now that dogs were no longer sidekicks in art works, they were appearing in both realist and abstract art through the 19th century. For example, you’re probably familiar with the “Dogs Playing Poker” series by American painter Cassius Marcellus Coolidge. The first painting of the series was Poker Game in 1894. It was followed by a set of 16 commissioned oil paintings in 1903, and one more completed in 1910.
Another more contemporary instance of dog-centric art are the Balloon Dog sculptures by Jeff Koons. Koons is famous for his gigantic dog sculptures.
https://twitter.com/artphotodaily/status/1066299204870516736
Today, thanks to digital photography, the dog’s perfect form is accessible to everyone today. We even wear them on our clothes and accessories.
https://www.facebook.com/iHeartDogscom/photos/a.10151367646513079/10159316166143079/?type=3&theater
Notable Artists Who Depicted Dogs In Their Work
Some of the most influential and prominent artists throughout history created art inspired by our canine friends!
Edouard Manet
“Un King Charles Spaniel” (1866)
The French Modernist painted a portrait of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the mid-19th century.
https://twitter.com/AHistoryofArt/status/872900840138432517
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
“Head Of A Dog” (1870)
The famed French Impressionist saw the natural beauty in dogs.
https://twitter.com/ArtandArtists_/status/999646542242992128
Frida Kahlo
“Itzicuintli Dog with me” (1938)
The renowned artist had several of these hairless Chihuahuas.
Frida Kahlo – 'Itzicuintli Dog with Me' /c. 1938 pic.twitter.com/gr0AZUU616
— Alice Marianne (@_Emmet_Emmet) November 20, 2016
Andy Warhol
“Portrait of Maurice” (1976)
This dachshund was a commissioned print Warhol did for Gabrielle Keiller in 1976.
Portrait of Maurice, Andy Warhol (1976) #artdogs #warhol #screenprinting #dachshunds #dogsoftwitter pic.twitter.com/liUB8WpyYC
— Art Dogs (@art_dogs_) March 28, 2017
Clearly dogs have always been important to our creative expressions and cultural identities, and I bet that won’t change any time soon.
Over the 2,000 year history of dogs in human artwork, my favorite is still the last overhead picture I took of my dog sleeping on my lap.
H/T: My Modern Met
FEATURED IMAGE: @art_dogs_/Twitter
Toledo, United States.
