Paintings of Pooches: National Dog Day 2018

Above image: David Hockney and his two dogs

Dogs are not only a man’s bestfriend, they’re also the favorite subject of numerous artists throughout the course of art history.

As an art lover and a self-proclaimed dog fanatic, I found it fitting to celebrate national dog day, coming up on August 26th, by highlighting artworks featuring this furry four-legged subject. From appearing in primitive cave paintings and in Renaissance aristocratic portraiture, to being immortalized as balloons, dogs have been portrayed in various different ways throughout the course of art history.

Living embodiments of loyalty, love and protection, dogs have played noteworthy roles in the careers and oeuvres of many renowned artists. In 1995, famed British artist David Hockney dedicated an entire exhibition exclusively to paintings of his two dachshunds, Stanley and Boodgie. He captured his beloved companions in a seemingly endless array of positions and scenarios including sleeping, cuddling, eating, drinking and playing.

Related Posts
New Collection: Photography & More
Yigal Ozeri: Photo-Realism
Valentine’s Day: Artists in Love

Keith Haring is another artist who frequently employed dogs in his artistry. In his typical graffiti aesthetic characterized by simplistic geometric forms and solid vibrant hues, he fashioned a unique, anthropomorphic representation of the animal depicted either dancing, laughing, barking or even DJing.

If you have any particular favourite artworks featuring canines, please click here to send us an email with images– we would love to see!Metallized porcelain balloon dog by Jeff Koons

Jeff Koons, Magenta Balloon Dog, 2015, Metallized Porcelain, 10.5 inches diameter, Edition of 2300
a lithograph by Keith Haring
Keith Haring, DJ, 1998, Lithograph, 31 x 23.5 inches
a screenprint by john baldessari called double play feelings
John Baldessari, Double Play: Feelings, 2012, Screenprint, 14 x 13.5 inches, Edition of 150
a lithograph by alex katz called dog at duck trap
Alex Katz, Dog at Duck Trap, 1973-1975, Lithograph, 29 x 43 inches, Edition of 90

Articles recommandés

No comment yet, add your voice below!


Add a Comment

Votre adresse e-mail ne sera pas publiée. Les champs obligatoires sont indiqués avec *

trois × 4 =

Ce site utilise Akismet pour réduire les indésirables. En savoir plus sur comment les données de vos commentaires sont utilisées.