The Best Artist Depictions of Dogs

From the 16th century to the present, these are the best portraits of dogs.

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Complex Original

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Dogs have always occupied a huge part of our cultural imagination—as companions, pets, hunters, and heroes. They have also played the part of muse throughout the ages, posing for portraits or playing supporting roles in visual compositions. From 16th-century oil paintings to contemporary sculptures by Jeff Koons and Paul McCarthy, these are The Best Artist Depictions of Dogs. All hail man's best friend.

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Keith Haring, Barking Dogs in the Series "Pop Shop IV" (1989)

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Banksy, Choose Your Weapon Yellow (2010)

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Jean Pigozzi, Diane and Jean Pigozzi, Geneva, Switzerland, 1991 (1991)

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Camila Soato, Dialogismos mixurucas nº50 (2014)

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Andy Warhol, Portrait of Maurice (1976)

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Pentti Sammallahti, Varanasi, India, (Puppy sleeping on cow) (1999)

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Rob Pruitt, Feels Like Love/Safe Place (2010)

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C. M. Coolidge, Dogs Playing Poker (1903)

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Ed Ruscha, Dog (1994)

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Jean-Michel Basquiat, Dog (1982)

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Winslow Homer, Hound and Hunter (1892)

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Pieter Bruegel the Elder, The Hunters in the Snow (1565)

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Lara Jo Regan, Untitled Photo From the Series "Dogs in Cars" (2013)

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Hellen Van Meene, Untitled #395 (2012)

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William Wegman, Blue Period With Banjo (1980)

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Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Head of a Dog (1870)

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Yoshitomo Nara, Untitled (Dog With Headphones)

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Fernando Botero, Poodle (1971)

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Nam June Paik, Dog (1995)

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Louise Bourgeois, NATURE STUDY (1984)

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M. C. Escher, Regular Division of The Plane (1957)

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Desire Obtain Cherish, We Are Known by the Company We Keep (2014)

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Picasso, Boy With a Dog (1905)

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Jeff Koons, Balloon Dog (Orange) (1990s)

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Paul McCarthy, Balloon Dog (2013)

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