Animals

Every Dog Has Its Day…

Joanna Kaszubowska 23 March 2022 min Read

No one will ever be as happy to see you coming back home as your dog. Since they are always with us, they do deserve their place in art. And they certainly have it, not only as companions in their owner’s portraits but also on their own. As you can see below, dogs in art come in all shapes and sizes, but are always our best friends… well, almost always.

1. Cave Canem, Pompeii

dogs in art
Cave Canem mosaic, 2nd century, House of the Tragic Poet, Pompeii, Italy. World History.

Not a portrait exactly, but an early example of a “beware of dog” plaque, on a slightly larger scale too. Some things last for a long time (the plaques), some thankfully go away (the chain).

2. Agostino Carracci, Study of a Spaniel’s Head

dog
Agostino Carracci, Study of a Spaniel’s Head, c. 1598, Museum of Prints and Drawings, Berlin, Germany.

Hmmm… this dog in art looks a bit more like a lion than a spaniel to me, but the look in its eyes cannot be mistaken — Someone is eating something and not sharing!

3. Gerrit Dou, Sleeping Dog

dog
Gerrit Dou, Sleeping Dog, 1650, Museum of Fine Art, Boston, MA, USA.

Is it really sleeping or just pretending so it doesn’t have to do much?

4. Giuseppe Castiglione, Tawny Yellow Leopard

dog
Giuseppe Castiglione, Tawny Yellow Leopard, 1747, National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan.

By no means is this a leopard. Actually, Castiglione was commissioned by the Emperor Qianlong to paint a series of Ten Fine Hounds.

5. George Stubbs, White Poodle in a Punt

dog
George Stubbs, White Poodle in a Punt, c. 1780, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, USA.

It does not seem very happy, does it? Poodles were water retrievers, so they should feel comfortable in the proximity of water, maybe it’s the missing duck.

6. Francisco Goya, The Dog

dog
Francisco Goya, The Dog, c. 1819 1823, Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain.

So dramatic and sad, probably one of the most moving depictions of a dog in art.

7. Édouard Manet, A King Charles Spaniel

dog
Édouard Manet, A King Charles Spaniel, ca. 1866, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, USA.

I know you have my snacks! I’ll get you as soon as we’re done here! A truly noble one, art before snacks.

8. Paul Gauguin, Still Life with Three Puppies

dog
Paul Gauguin, Still Life with Three Puppies, 1888, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, USA.

It is difficult to resist the charm of a puppy, with three no one stands a chance.

9. Last but not least: Sir Edwin Landsee, A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society

dog
Sir Edwin Landseer, A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society, 1838, Tate, London, UK.

More distinguished and dignified than many people, Bob was made a distinguished member of the Royal Humane Society. He saved 23 people from drowning over the course of 14 years! Good boy!

Recommended

Norbertine von Bresslern-Roth, Zebera Finches Animals

The Magical Menagerie of Norbertine Bresslern-Roth

Always moving, impenetrable, and ephemeral, animals are among the most difficult subjects for an artist to depict. Using a new style of printmaking...

Louisa Mahoney 13 February 2023

Animals

Secrets of Pets in Art

There’s nothing better than going to a museum and spotting a cute pet hidden in a painting. I mean, after all, one of art’s functions is...

Marta Wiktoria Bryll 26 December 2022

Animals

Sporting Artist: Alfred Munnings

Alfred Munnings was the leading sporting artist during the first half of the 20th century. His paintings encompass a range of sporting themes: horses...

Lauren Kraut 25 August 2022

chinese new year tiger, Kishi Chikudo, Detail from Tiger, Tigress and Cubs, 1892 Animals

Year of the Tiger: Chinese New Year 2022

The year of the tiger is upon us! Tigers are frequently depicted in Chinese art, but they have fascinated so many artists from across the world.

Candy Bedworth 1 February 2022