The exhibition “In the Company of Cats and Dogs,” held at the Blanton Museum of Art from June 22 to September 21, 2014, offers a comprehensive look at the evolving relationship between humans and their feline and canine companions throughout history. Featuring over 150 works spanning various mediums and eras, the exhibition delves into the multifaceted roles these animals have played in human society, as depicted by renowned artists. This collection, drawing from the Blanton’s own holdings as well as loans from prominent institutions and private collections, invites viewers to explore the deep-seated connection we share with cats and dogs.
The exhibition showcases a remarkable range of artistic interpretations, from ancient Egyptian sculptures to contemporary photographs. Visitors can admire works by masters such as Albrecht Dürer, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, William Blake, Francisco Goya, Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Edward Hopper, among others. The pieces chosen highlight the diverse ways cats and dogs have been perceived and portrayed: as cherished family members, diligent hunters, beloved pets, and potent symbols in mythology, religion, and politics.
“This exhibition sheds new light on a subject artists have depicted throughout history – our relationships with cats and dogs,” stated Blanton Director Simone Wicha. “It provides us an opportunity to collaborate with some of the best and brightest minds on the University of Texas campus – from psychologists to historians – in a presentation that offers new research and fresh perspectives, giving us a deeper understanding of our own identities and relationships. It also gives us a chance to connect with our pet-friendly community, who will undoubtedly enjoy these dynamic portrayals of well-loved animals.” This interdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from the humanities and sciences, offers a unique lens through which to examine animal behavior, human perceptions, and the cultural significance of pets.
The exhibition is further enriched by contributions from various academic fields, including anthrozoology, which studies human-animal interactions, and social histories focusing on animal welfare, child development, and land rights. Senior Curator of Prints, Drawings, and European Paintings, Francesca Consagra, remarked, “Through especially beautiful and affecting works of art, we hope to make our visitors aware of some of the diverse and complex histories we have had with cats and dogs over a period of thirty-three centuries.”
Artistic Depictions Across Eras
Highlights of “In the Company of Cats and Dogs” include rare and significant pieces that underscore the long and varied history of human-animal companionship. Among these are ancient Egyptian sculptures of the gods Bast and Anubis, on loan from the San Antonio Museum of Art, offering a glimpse into the reverence these animals held in antiquity. A medieval manuscript from the Harry Ransom Center features a zodiac dog from the eleventh century, showcasing early symbolic representations.
The exhibition also features pivotal works from later periods, such as Thomas Sully’s Cinderella at the Kitchen Fire from the Dallas Museum of Art, which subtly incorporates animals into domestic scenes. Albrecht Dürer’s intricate print, St. Eustace, demonstrates the animal’s role in religious and allegorical narratives, while Paul Gauguin’s rare prints offer a different cultural perspective. Contemporary artists like Louise Bourgeois, William Wegman, and Sandy Skoglund contribute modern interpretations, demonstrating the continued artistic engagement with our animal companions. Beloved pieces from the Blanton’s collection, including Marco Benefial’s Portrait of a Lady with a Dog and Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait’s Huntsman with Deer, Horse, and Rifle, are also prominently displayed.
Woodblock print of a black and white cat with yellow eyes curled around a staked tomato plant. Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei), Published by Fusui Gabo Cat Prowling Around a Staked Tomato Plant, 1931 Woodblock print, 20 7/8 x 13 7/8 in. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Gift of Stephanie Hamilton in memory of Leslie A. Hamilton
Painting of a white, fluffy dog on a brown background. The dog Thomas Gainsborough Spitz Dog, ca. 1765 Oil on canvas, 24 x 29 1/2 in. Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Understanding Our Reflections
Ultimately, “In the Company of Cats and Dogs” bridges centuries and artistic genres to underscore the complex, reciprocal nature of our relationships with these animals. The exhibition reveals that, in many ways, cats and dogs reflect as much about us—our values, our societies, and our own identities—as we do about them. By examining these artistic representations, viewers gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring human-animal bond and its profound impact on culture and individual lives. The exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of how these companions have shaped our world and continue to be integral parts of our lives.
In the Company of Cats and Dogs is organized by the Blanton Museum of Art. Generous funding for the exhibition was provided by Dana and Gene Powell, with additional support from Leslie and Jack Blanton, Jr., the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation, Cornelia and Meredith Long, Alessandra Manning-Dolnier and Kurt Dolnier, Susan and Richard Marcus, the Scurlock Foundation Exhibition Endowment, and a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
