![]() And such a placing, in such an important painting cannot go unnoticed.ĥ. Try to imagine the two diagonals crisscrossing the painting and you’ll see it. And what about the dog? Though obviously not the protagonist in the painting it is remarkably well-executed and strategically placed in the center of the painting. Never before though an aristocrat and a plain person could be seen occupying on equal terms artistic space, let alone allowing the plain, unpretentious man of the country that Courbet was to be so composed. This chance meeting is in reality a juxtaposition of two worlds, and most importantly the painting makes it a point that these two worlds are equal. The subject of this painting is an encounter in the country between Courbet himself and a friend of his named Bruyas, accompanied by his servant Calas and his dog. Courbet, The Encounter, ( Bonjour Monsieur Courbet), 1854 Exactly the kind of thing that marks the difference between a very good artist and a great one.Ĥ. Using with these lines Rembrandt manages to convey in targeted detail not only the canine likeness of the sleeping animal but also the certainty of life, warmth of presence and a feeling of peace that emanate from it. Within the convention of a simple black and white drawing it is undoubtedly a skillful bundle of lines that flow harmoniously on a little piece of paper. This small scale etching of a dog can speak volumes. As the accompanying text emphasizes, the dog is not merely an animal in this illustration, but a symbol of protection against adversaries and evil. The detailed miniature from the Rochester Bestiary portrays the crowned king being held by two jailers while nearby large dogs arriving from outside the frame assault the enemy line. The ancient legend of King Garamantes, who escaped exile by summoning 200 of his most loyal hounds to free him from his captors is a tale of the exemplary loyalty exhibited by canines. Photo found at British Library, Medieval manuscripts blog Detail of a miniature of King Garamantes being rescued by his dogs, c. The inscription in this image says ‘cave canem’ which means beware of the dog. The image is made from the assemblage of small pieces of colored stone and is set on the floor of a residence known as the house of tragic poet. ![]() The excavations that took place early in the 19th century in Pompeii revealed elaborate mosaics and amongst them this imposing image of a fierce and robust dog. Detail of mosaic floor, UNESCO World Heritage Site,Pompeii, around 79 AD Detail of mosaic floor, UNESCO World Heritage Site,Pompeii But before that, dogs made their presence felt around humans as companions in hunting, guardians, even deities.Ĭreatures affectionate but fierce, loyal and trustworthy, it is not to wonder that they have been often depicted in art in various forms and mediums, as a side figure or even as the main subject of the work. Just around 16th century it started to be considered fashionable for an aristocracy lady to carry with her a small-sized dog, a lap-dog.
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