Bolognese Dog 1670 - 1706

Philipp Peter Roos painted this Bolognese Dog, in oil on canvas, probably in Italy in the late 17th century. The painting seems simple, but it reflects a period where art was deeply intertwined with social status and class. Roos, who specialized in animal paintings, catered to the tastes of wealthy patrons who valued depictions of their pampered pets. Bolognese dogs, like the one here, were luxury items, symbols of affluence and leisure. Roos situates his canine subject in proximity to statuary, so suggesting its association with the cultivated tastes of the elite. We can read the painting as a comment on the social structures of its time. Roos elevates the status of this animal, imbuing it with a sense of dignity that mirrors the self-importance of the upper classes. Understanding the social and economic context in which art is made helps us appreciate its deeper meanings. Researching the history of pet ownership, class structures, and artistic patronage in 17th-century Italy would reveal even more about this work.