Dogs in the Louvre

by François Nourissier, Elisbeth Foucart-Walter

Throughout the ages, artists have frequently depicted dogs as symbols of positive values such as courage, loyalty, and vigilance. Whether serving as guards, guides, companions, or hunters, dogs have a very strong presence in the great artworks at the Louvre. They appear in the form of Mesopotamian statuettes of the third millennium BC; they flank peasants in Le Nain’s paintings, or sit loyally at the queen’s side in Rubens’s The Coronation. They may be portrayed as active, accompanying Diana the Huntress, or pampered, as cherished lap dogs nestled on cushions.This beautiful volume is packed with works from all of the Louvre’s many departments. Each painting or sculpture is shown in its entirety and in detail, to highlight the canine presence, and is accompanied by short, illuminating commentary. The book opens with a preface in which the prize-winning author draws upon his own personal experiences with man’s most loyal companions. Dogs in the Louvre provides a delightfully unusual tour of the most visited gallery in the world, and invites the reader to engage in a fresh way with some of its perennially inspiring themes. It is a fitting tribute to man’s best friend.

80 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

François Nourissier était un journaliste et un écrivain français. Il était actif dans le monde des éditeurs: secrétaire général des éditions Denoël de 1952 à 1955, rédacteur en chef de la revue La Parisienne de 1955 à 1958, et conseiller aux éditions Grasset de 1958 à 1996. Depuis 1977 il était membre de l'Académie Goncourt dont il est devenu le secrétaire général en 1983 et le président de 1996 à 2002. Il a démissionné en 2008 pour des raisons de santé.

François Nourissier was a French journalist and writer. He was occupied in the publishing sector: secretary-general of the publisher Denoël from 1952 to 1955, chief editor of La Parisienne from 1955 to 1958, and adviser with the publisher Grasset from 1958 to 1996. Since 1977 he was a member of the Académie Goncourt of which he became secretary-general in 1983 and president from 1996 to 2002. He resigned in 2008 for health reasons.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pictures are good -- accompanying text was annoying -- definitely art history with too many "it seems" and "it appears" -- and too much ascribing of human traits to the dogs. But, it's a good addition to my canine library.