Charles Hamilton ( British , act . 1831-1867 ), Zillah , by 1837 , oil on mahogany panel , gift of the Cynthia S . Wood Estate , On
Loan from the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog visual history of the development of the human-dog relationship and the evolution of the dog collar . Claudia Pfeiffer , Georgie L . Ohrstrom , Jr . Deputy Director and Head Curator of the NSLM , curated the exhibit which will be displayed in a chronological fashion .
“ The works are organized to convey the variety of roles that dogs began to play over time and the honing of their breeding for hunting , vermin control , work , sporting pursuits , leisure , and domesticity ,” said Pfeiffer .
The first section of the exhibition focuses on collars and art from the 17th century into the mid- 19th century . From primitive iron spiked examples to sophisticated engraved silver ones , the collars are complimented by corresponding paintings and sculptures . The artists featured in the exhibit are Flemish , Dutch , German , British , French , and American , and the works of art range from oils on canvas and panel to watercolors , wood engraving , and bronze sculpture . The breeds of dogs immortalized in these carefully selected works include mastiffs , bulldogs , boarhounds , spaniels , terriers , bird dogs , dalmatians , and many others . It is an exhibit every dog lover will want to see .
“ Just as every collar has a story to tell , so too does the artwork that depicts this time-honored relationship and the design of furnishing that started
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