Red 

Lucia Heffernan painted 'Red' using oils. The subject matter of this painting seems simple at first, a portrait of a dog. But how do we contextualize such a painting in art history? The domestication of dogs has shaped human society. The dog is our oldest companion animal, going back tens of thousands of years. In the ancient world, dogs were represented in art as guardians of the home and after-life, and symbols of fidelity. During the Renaissance, dogs started appearing in portraits of the European aristocracy, as emblems of their owners' wealth and status. Think of Gainsborough's paintings of the British landed gentry, for instance. In twenty-first century America, dogs are often seen as members of the family, and this painting speaks to that contemporary sensibility. Understanding this shift in attitude requires historical and sociological research. "Red" shows us the way that cultural values can shape artistic representation.