27/08/2026
Today's featured artwork celebrates our four-legged friends in honour of International Dog Day 🐾
🖼️ 'A Blockade Runner' by Briton Rivière, from Tate.
Briton Rivière was one of Britain's most celebrated animal painters, with dogs and lions among his favourite subjects. While his depictions of lions were often based on preserved specimens and existing images, he preferred to paint dogs from life, drawing on his lifelong affection for them. In an 1897 interview, he admitted: "I have always been a great lover of dogs but I have worked at them so much that I've grown tired of having them about me."
Many of Rivière's paintings were designed to tug at the heartstrings, exploring the bond between people and their canine companions through emotional and dramatic scenes. A Blockade Runner, however, showcases his lighter side. Here, a startled cat makes a narrow escape from a lively gathering of dogs, giving the artist the perfect opportunity to demonstrate his skill in capturing a variety of breeds and sizes.
The painting is full of movement, humour and character, reminding us why dogs have remained such beloved companions throughout history. 🐕🐩🐾
Do you have a favourite dog in art, or perhaps a canine companion who brightens your day?
Art UK