People and dogs have had a special relationship for many centuries. They have been our working partners as well as friends. The following artwork expresses this important and long relationship.
This set introduces students (grades 2-6) to the subject of dogs and their bond with people and helps them learn the skills of observation and inference.
Look at each slide carefully. Keep the questions below in mind when discussing and thinking about each piece of art.
Questions for Discussion:
| More Info |
A courtesan is a person who attends the court of a monarch or powerful person.
The Pekingese dog is an ancient breed from China originally for the Chinese Imperial Court only.
Do you think the Courtesan owned this dog or took care of it for her royalty?
Artist: Totoya Hokkei
Date: 18th-19th century
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
| More Info |
What kiind of dog do you think this is?
Artist: Gilbert Stuart
Date: 1779
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
| More Info |
Does this dog appear to be loyal? Why or why not?
Do you think this dog protects its owner?
Artist: Henri Monnier
Date: 1871
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
| More Info |
Does the title of the portrait help you understand the intended message?
Do you think he was photographed with an Irish Wolfhound to express a certain message?
Artist: Alen MacWeeney ; Hyperion Press
Date: 1965-1966
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
| More Info |
Does the dog look as royal as the owner? How?
Artist: Roloff Beny
Date: 20th century
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
| More Info |
What kind of relationship exists between these two?
Do you think this dog works hard for its owner? Why or why not?
Artist: Elliott Erwitt ; Acorn Editions, Ltd.
Date: 1962 (printed 1977)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
| More Info |
![Untitled [dogs], Garry Winogrand ; RFG Publishing, Inc.](http://www.artsconnected.org/media/cd/14/6c86ff397fc9abfefbce53f3c0f9/1024/768/91794.jpg)
Use the zoom feature.
Do you see the person? Does she look happy?
Do you think she owns all of these dogs?
Which dog is your favorite? Why?
Artist: Garry Winogrand ; RFG Publishing, Inc.
Date: 1981
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
| More Info |
This is an excerpt from the BBC special program examining the special bond between humans and dogs. To watch the program in its entirety, please follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EibCPQJleL4
After watching this clip and seeing the portraits of humans with their dogs, does your opinion about the relationship between people and dogs change?
Did you learn anything about dogs?
| More Info |
