Precocious pets

‘Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.’

– Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1873-1954)

Colette and four legged friends

Pets are a favourite subject matter of mine.

The following prints are a set of portraits I created in homage to my pets Freddie, Byrd, Shane and Googie.

Rona Green, Lagomorphia, 2005, etching

Freddie

Rona Green, white Byrd, 2005, etching

Byrd and Shane

Rona Green, pretty boys, 2005, etching

Googie

Another artist – whom I adore – who was also inspired to depict pets was Lucian Freud (1922-2011).

Lucian Freud, 1947

Lucian once said ‘A painter’s tastes must grow out of what so obsesses him in life that he never has to ask himself what it is suitable for him to do in art.’

Lucian Freud, Girl with a Kitten, 1947, oil on canvas

Lucian Freud, Girl with a White Dog, 1951, oil on canvas

Lucian Freud, Eli, 2002, etching

Lucian Freud and Eli with gallerist William Acquavella in front of the painting Portrait of the Hound, 2011

Lucian’s brother, Clement Freud (1924-2009), a broadcaster, writer, politician and chef, was also an animal fan.

Clement Freud and Henry, 1966

So much so that he featured in a series of dog food commercials in the 1960’s:

Enjoy!