Dogs on Canvas

European Artists

Head of a Dog Edvard Munch

Norwegian artist Edvard Munch was known as one of the most unique artists of the 20th century. His artworks bordered on Surrealism. He created this painting in 1930 featuring a simple composition of the head and neck of a dog. When he lost both his mother and sister in 1908 to cope with his grief, he developed a special affinity for dogs and they kept him company. In this painting is one of Munch’s beloved dogs.

A Jack in Office Sir Edwin Landseer

English artist and sculptor Sir Edwin Landseer created impressive dog paintings. In 1833 he painted this artwork which focuses on a specific dog breed – a Jack Russell terrier. In the painting, the Jack Russell terrier is in command of the situation. The dog is sitting atop a table and is guarding the food that other dogs are eating. This artwork conveys the unfair treatment that many people get from their government. The Jack Russell terrier is looking well-fed and a bit obese while the dogs prowling around for food appear to be malnourished.

Lady Hamilton (as Nature) George Romney

Famous British Portrait Artist George Romney was a prominent artist during the 18th century. He was known for creating realistic artworks and was commissioned to paint portraits for royal officials and public figures. This painting is among his notable dog paintings and was created in 1782. The darker background makes the portrait stand out and the pup the lady is holding has an attentive look in the viewer’s direction.

A Couple of Foxhounds George Stubbs

British artist George Stubbs created this artwork in the mid-1700s when fox hunting was considered a popular outdoor activity enjoyed by the nobility. Trained hounds were groomed to seek out a fox, run after it for hours and when the animal was tired let hunters shoot it down. This painting was created in 1762 for a prominent English family and features two of their beautiful foxhounds. Stubbs was praised for his ability to portray dogs with exceptional realism.

King Charles Spaniel Eduard Manet

French artist Eduard Manet was a famous painter during the Impressionist era of the 19th century. This artwork is among his most notable. It was created in 1866 with the dog seated on a plush red pillow like he was some kind of royal figure. Manet’s brushstrokes have perfectly captured the curls of the dog’s fur and given his coat a nice sheen.

Julie Manet and her Greyhound Laertes Berthe Morisot

French artist Berthe Morisot was a prominent artist from the Impressionist era. Her artwork mainly consisted of various social settings and portraits of people. In this artwork created in 1893 she depicts a woman with her beloved dog. She was among the most famous female artists from the era and had a unique painting style.

Diogenes Jean-Leon Gerome

French artist and sculptor Jean-Leon Gerome created this highly recognized artwork in 1860. The painting features the famous Greek philosopher Diogenes, seated at the edge of a clay tub taking shelter. He has a lantern in his hands and a group of dogs are seated around him watching him intently. The dogs are said to represent those who viewed Diogenes’ work and beliefs with particular austerity.

The Dog Francisco Goya

Spanish artist Francisco Goya was one of the most famous Spanish artists of the 18th and 19th centuries. This artwork is considered to be among his most famous dog paintings. He created the painting in 1823 with a very simple composition with two halves divided by an upper and lower section. The sky appears to be a unique pale reddish color while the dog seen below seems to have its body covered by sand or some other sort of mass. Many art critics agree that Goya was trying to convey some kind of sense of loneliness in the dog’s expression.

American Artist

Hunting Dogs in a Boat Winslow Homer (picture on top)

American artist Winslow Homer was a famous American painter from the 19th century. He was known for his artworks capturing the essence of life for common people in the US during the mid-1800s. This painting is among his greatest artworks created in 1889. The painting features a backdrop of Winslow’s favorite getaway location, a hunting lodge in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. The scene depicts dogs in a boat drifting along placid water with an autumnal background.