What better time to reflect on the history of Dogs in art than on National Dog Day. When tracing the first appearance of dogs in art history, they can first be seen on the walls of caves. Later they appeared in hunting scenes painted during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. As dogs became more domesticated, they were shown as companions, on laps and in homes. Portraits of dogs became more popular in the 18th century, and even more so after 1873 when the American Kennel Club was establish and illustrations of breed standards were introduced. In the 19th century painter John Singer Sargent often included his subjects’ dogs in their portraits. In the 20th century pop artists like Andy Warhol and Keith Haring painted images of dogs, with Haring’s barking dog becoming one of his more prominent icons. Many contemporary artists have found success creating unique portraits of these beloved pets and companions. Artist John W. Golden has nearly 120 portraits of dog breeds including color variations. Other artist’s who have chosen “man’s best friend” as art subject include Steven Schuman, My Zoetrope, Philippe Debongnie, Zhen Huan Lu and others. We have curated a collection of our Top Dog Prints to celebrate National Dog Day, and a subject that has continued to captivate for centuries.
