[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter receiving an unfair lack of attention during the Renaissance, dogs became a staple feature in paintings from the 17th century onwards. They appeared in a variety of scenes including hunts and parties but most commonly in portraits as lap dogs representing the social status of the sitter. Class structures were becoming more concrete during this period, especially in the Dutch Republic, and material goods were the greatest signifier of wealth.

This is not to say that dogs were simply objects. They appear to have been the personal friends of their human counterparts, with devotion shown to them on occasion as is expected today. These doggos were just as reckless and charming, and mischievous and lovable; with numerous artists drawn to their large personalities.

 

After scouring through dozens of artworks, one dog after another, I have compiled a list of the top 8 paintings which feature dogs from the Dutch Golden Age. These Dutch dogs display a true understanding of the important things in life, and outshine their humans in both beauty and character.

 

8. Self Portrait in Oriental Attire, Rembrandt van Rijn, c. 1631

You cannot do an article on Dutch art without mentioning Rembrandt, it’s considered sacrilege. This painting stuck out to me as the motive behind it is to display the lavish clothing that was being imported to the Dutch Republic, but the dog still looks more magnificent.

 

7. Prince Balthasar Charles as a Hunter, Diego Velázquez, c. 1635

Velázquez used dogs as extras in his paintings more so than other painters at the time, but even could not hide how frustrating and boring it must have been for our canine friends to just sit for hours on end.

 

6. Figures drinking in a courtyard, Pieter de Hooch, c. 1658

De Hooch somehow knew that in the future people would pay more attention to scruffy dogs than well-dressed soldiers and he arranged for him to be the focal point of the painting. I appreciate this consideration.

 

5. The Kitchen, David Teniers the Younger, c. 1646

I picked this one simply because it reminds me of what my kitchen looked like when we introduced the new bichon frise to the cat for the first time.

 

4. The Flea Catcher, Gerard ter Borch, c. 1655

The little boy here clearly cares greatly for his dog’s well-being, painstakingly picking every flea from his body – even if the dog looks like he would rather be chasing something than doing this.

 

3. Brothel Scene, Frans van Mieris the Elder, c. 1658

NSFW.

 

2. Portrait of Prince Philip Prospero, Diego Velázquez, c. 1651

It’s humbling to know that not even a prince can stop a dog taking his chair.

 

1. Five Eldest Children of Charles I, Sir Anthony van Dyck, c. 1637

While the dog here is very impressive with his almost excessively large size, the expression and energy of the baby to the right is the reason that I picked this as the number one painting as it perfectly reflects how we all feel when we see one like him.  That is: ‘I just want to touch the dog, let me touch the dog’.