 |
| Interior of a Clallam Winter Lodge, Vancouver Island by Paul Kane (c.1851-1856). Source: National Gallery of Canada in their Early Canadian Art collection |
I originally came across this painting while taking a course in early Canadian History and immediately noticed not one, not two, but three dogs! Woohoo! Three times the score. There is the one standing to the left, observing the main action; one sitting in the middle keeping his eye on what's happening over in the corner (maybe someone over there has some food?); and one off to the right who seems content just sitting with his owner.
The bond between humans and dogs is a special fascination of mine, and it makes me feel good to imagine the special interactions that existed between people and their dogs throughout all times and places. Here, I love to see these dogs just hanging around as a welcome part of the community. Just as it should be.
According to my crack research team (okay, Wikipedia) Paul Kane was a Canadian artist who undertook voyages from Toronto to the northwest between 1845 and 1848 to paint and document the lives of the Aboriginal peoples he encountered. This is one of hundreds completed by him. And, my favourite.
No comments:
Post a Comment