4 Great Works of Art With Dogs in Them

Dogs are a big part of our lives, so its no surprise that they show up in the work of many famous artists. Read on to see some of our favorites!
4 Great Works of Art With Dogs in Them

Last update: 23 December, 2018

Art is one of the most human forms of expression. People bring together their emotions and thoughts in a way that leads to a brilliant creation. People think and feel a great deal about their pets, too. So most likely there are probably some works of art with dogs in them, right?

That’s right. Throughout history, many artists have immortalized their beautiful canine pets. They probably played some part in these artists’ success by bringing them the peace and happiness they needed to create their amazing works of art. Today, we’re going to talk about 4 of our favorite works of art that feature dogs.

Works of art with dogs in them: Andy Warhol’s sausage dog

sausage dogs

Many people don’t know that this artistic genius had a deep love of animals. He treated them very well and loved them so much that they often helped him feel at peace, which we know is a big help when it comes to having clear ideas.

His favorite pets were always cats, and he lived with an astounding 25 of them at one point. He named them all Sam, and even dedicated a book of drawings to them: 25 Cats Name Sam and One Blue Pussy.

Though his true passion was cats, Warhol fell in love with a wiener dog that his partner insisted on getting in 1973. They named the dog Archie, and Warhol ended up immortalizing this little wiener in a beautiful painting that makes it clear just how much he loved his four-legged friend.

Jeff Koons’ incredible work of art

Art isn’t just great because of having the ability to stir up emotions and stimulate our minds. One of the other amazing things about art is that you can portray any idea, through any artistic medium, if you’re creative enough.

That’s just what happened with the American artist Jeff Koons. He immortalized the concept of dogs in an amazing work of art that makes steel look like rubber. You’ve probably seen it before: it’s a gigantic balloon dog

This unique work of art took him six years to complete. It then went on to break record sales in the United States and all over the world. According to the genius himself, this animal we refer to as our best friend is one we should always treat with the utmost care and respect.

A dog in German expressionism

This artistic movement was one of the most groundbreaking of its time. It even managed to spread to other types of art, like film, where it gained major recognition through a few particularly amazing movies.

But German expressionism relied mostly on a painting to fully express itself. It seemed to work: some works from this period are now classic pieces of art. One of them, called Dog lying in the snow, by Franz Marc, portrays the painter’s beautiful dog taking a peaceful snooze.

Frida and her Xoloitzcuintli

Frida Kahlo's dog

It’s no secret that Frida Kahlo is one of the most famous artists of all time. It wasn’t just because she stood out in a time where that it was much harder for a woman to do, but also because she was insanely talented, which led to some truly unforgettable works of art.

But she has the same problem as other geniuses like Jorge Luis Borges or Kurt Cobain: the public knows more about their lives than their work itself, which is as unbelievable as it is unfair.

One of Kahlo’s least-known sides was her immense love for animals. We can see that she clearly show this through all the paintings where she portrayed her pets. One of the most famous is her 1945 self-portrait, where she posed with her monkey and her hairless Xoloitzcuintli breed dog. 

There are definitely some other amazing works of art that involve dogs. However, these are some of the most well-known, and our favorites.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.