Perros en el arte. (The Dog in Art)

As in life, dogs are loyal companions in artworks. This text traces the history of dogs in Western painting. Ears perked and ready, the dogs are eager to co-star in many of the portraits featured in this text. Or, conversely, they are sleeping under the feet of an impatient child, as in Velázquez's Las Meninas. Over centuries, with few exceptions, dogs receive a fully positive treatment from the artists who depict them. An Egyptian dog is beautifully mummified; dogs lie peacefully with rabbits in medieval tapestry, take naps with great Tiziano nudes, sit politely in the laps of royalty, accompany men on rousing hunts, and tolerate the teasing of small children. The modern and postmodern dog is used in video work and, in the case of artist Jeff Koons, is represented as a several stories-large hedge puppy. Zuffi accompanies this highly illustrated book with further contextual background and symbolism of the canines featured. With an index by the artist; recommended for public libraries and as a fun art appreciation book for elementary and middle school libraries.—Laura Torres, Somerville, MA