Dogs have always been considered the most loyal companions of humans. They are not only loyal, but also add joy to our lives, and there are even people who consider dogs as children. This deep friendship between humans and animals has been an eternal theme in art. Recently, Wallace Museum In London, UK, it has unveiled a dog-themed exhibition, showcasing a series of canine artworks from famous private collections, honoring the friendship between dog lovers and their pets.
The exhibition brings more than 50 works of art to Hertford House, including oil paintings, sculptures, drawings and even animal specimens, exploring humanity’s love of pets over hundreds of years.
For centuries, dogs have appeared in various paintings and images. Already in the first cave paintings, they coexisted with humans. In the works of great masters of art such as Titian, Van Dyck and Rembrandt, the presence of dogs can also be seen from time to time. Since the Renaissance, dogs have been considered symbols of loyalty and used to highlight social status and wealth. Therefore, paintings with the theme of dogs of each generation also greatly reveal the identity of the owner of the work and even the historical context.
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Right: David Hockney, Dogs 41, 1995. © David Hockney. Photo: Richard Schmidt Collection/David Hockney Foundation.
In contemporary art, what is most often expressed is the artists’ pure love for pets. For example, the famous contemporary art master David Hockney, who has previously published the illustrated book “David Hockney’s Dog Days,” which includes numerous photographs of his pets, the German Shepherd Stanley and Budgie, along with texts from the artist himself, attesting to his love for these two companions. In this exhibition, viewers will also have the opportunity to see some of Hockney’s works.
Pictures of dogs: from Gainsborough to Hockney
Date: From now until October 15, 2023
Location: Wallace Collection, London
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