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The Book of the Dog by Angus Hyland and Kendra Wilson (Laurence King Publisher, 159 pages) $20.95
What better subject for an artist than his most loyal friend?
This collection of dog portraits explores a longstanding connection between pet and painter. From classic works to contemporary expressions, the styles range widely but all stay true to the bond that exists between them. The elegance of the greyhound, as portrayed by Charles Wellington Furse in one of the last works, captures this breed's capacity for speed even as it strains against its leash. In some of the paintings, the dog appears as an equal to the person it appears with, like the cairn terrier held by the Prince of Wales in the 1925 work by John Saint-Helier Lander. Other works depict dogs as observers of their human companions, such as Alex Colville's "Child and Dog," which shows his young daughter standing beside their black Labrador.
The majority of the images show the dog on its own, either relaxing or interested in something that we can't see. Their expressions run the gamut of emotions and are all recognizable to the dog lover as reminders of what their own dogs may have done. With the variety of styles and diverse group of canines presented, there is much to enjoy through repeated viewings.
