Zwerggriffon 1871

Carl Reichert painted this portrait of a Zwerggriffon using oil on canvas. The fur has been created with short, quick brushstrokes in layers of brown and cream. The artist has blended the pigments expertly so the dog seems fluffy and soft. The dark background brings the dog's figure into high relief, drawing attention to its appealing expression. The smooth, shiny quality of the paint reflects light, making the colors glow. In nineteenth-century Europe, the rise of the middle class created a demand for individualized consumer goods and an art market for sentimental depictions of domestic animals. Reichert specialized in pet portraits, demonstrating both technical skill and an ability to capture the personality of his subjects. He sold his pictures to wealthy patrons who wanted to immortalize their beloved companions. Paying close attention to the materials and their cultural associations helps us to fully understand the context and purpose of this painting, and how it blurred boundaries between craft and fine art.