Image credit: David Hockney, Dog Painting 19, 1995 © David Hockney. Photo Credit: Richard Schmidt Collection The David Hockney Foundation
The beautiful and historic Wallace Collection, just a short walk from 9 Hertford Street, is a great place to enjoy fine and decorative art. It has the most varied and interesting programme of events but one we have found particularly captivating is Portraits of Dogs: From Gainsborough to Hockney.
Running until 15 October, the exhibition explores the unique bond between humans and their canine companions.
The comprehensive selection of works traces the history of dogs represented in art from the first century to the present day.
The Wallace Collection explain: “Bringing over 50 works of art to Hertford House, Portraits of Dogs presents a broad range of portraiture showing dogs in all their different shapes and sizes, with each painter or sculptor challenging themselves how best to represent mankind’s best, faithful and fearless friend.”
Highlights of the exhibition include the late 1st century Roman marble sculpture entitled the Townley Greyhounds, da Vinci’s metalpoint studies of a paw, Landseer’s painting of Queen Victoria’s beloved spaniel Tilco, Thomas Gainsborough’s Tristram and Fox and Hockney’s series of paintings of his cherished dachshunds, Stanley and Boodgie.
After enjoying Hogarth’s House’s excellent 2022 exhibition about the role of dogs in the home, this absolute treat from the Wallace Collection is the most perfect continuation of the celebration of our canine companions.