Dogs in Art

1.

History

Early History: The depiction of dogs in art has a longer history than most, with man’s best friend commemorated in some of the earliest cave paintings. They were also a present force in Egyptian, Greek and Roman paintings, reliefs and literature, held up as faithful and fearless guides, hunters, and in mythology, guardians of the gates to the afterlife.

Sporting and hunting scenes: In the medieval era, men were often pictured with hunting dogs as symbols of wealth and high social status. British sporting scenes rose in popularity over the centuries in Britain through the work of artists such as James Seymour, George Stubbs, Philip Reinagle and John Emms, who depicted affluent patrons with their dogs, reinforcing hunting as a pursuit for aristocratic entertainment. This area of dog portraiture has recently made a strong return to the auction field.

The rise of dog portraiture: It’s impossible to reference dog portraiture without citing the Renaissance. During this time, dogs took on new symbolic weight and were placed in paintings to embody love and faithfulness. During this time, smaller lap dogs were introduced into compositions, such as in Jan van Eyck’s 1434 Arnolfini Portrait, and this is a trend that would continue into the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

In the 18^th century, dog portraiture began to flourish as a medium in its own right, particularly for those well-heeled enough to immortalise their beloved canines on canvas. With the founding of the UK and American Kennel Clubs in the 19^th century, a new artistic trend saw dogs move from supporting acts to protagonists.

Like artist, like dog: The 20^th century witnessed rapid stylistic changes and shifts to more expressive and personal approaches in art. This extended to the field of dog portraiture, in which artists such as Lucian Freud and David Hockney captured their deep bonds with their treasured hounds, and highlighted their unique character traits.

3.

On the Market

2023 was a monumental year for dogs in art, with a number of exhibitions dedicated to the wide-ranging genre. These included the Wallace Collection exhibition Portraits of Dogs: From Gainsborough to Hockney, a comprehensive celebration of humanity’s relationship with dogs from the 17^th century until today. Through sculpture, painting, drawing and taxidermy, the show captured the evolution and remarkable breadth of dog portraiture, and its burgeoning contemporary appeal.

Simultaneously, The Kennel Club marked its 150^th anniversary with a London exhibition that explored the enduring bond between dogs and their owners. Also in 2023 and in 2024, Bonhams were the proud sponsor of Goodwoof – a celebration of all things canine at the Goodwood Festival – hosting the Goodwoof Barkitecture Charity Sale in aid of Dogs Trust.

The market for dog portraiture remains robust across eras and stylistic approaches. This trend is evident in recent Bonhams sales such as two Roman marble figures of Celtic hounds (Circa 2nd Century A.D.), which sold for £807,062.50 inc. premium in 2019, George Stubbs’ A black and white spaniel pointing to the left, in a wooded landscape with a church spire beyond that achieved £252,300 inc. premium in 2022, and Keith Haring’s Dog that sold for £375,062.50 inc. premium in 2020.

For over 30 years, up until 2016, Bonhams held dog-themed auctions in New York, maintaining a prominent market position and a depth of expertise in the field. These auctions saw many notable sales, such as John Emms’ New Forest Foxhounds, which sold for US$843,250 (£677,533) inc. premium in 2006. The Dog Sale returned to Edinburgh in November 2023, featuring works by Emms and Professor Paul Friedrich Meyerheim among others.