Small Dogs (T.344)
Signed Print

While many of Hockney’s prints depicting his dachshunds are monochrome, Small Dogs is a vibrant celebration of these delightful creatures. Here Stanley and Boodgie are shown on a plump blue and white cushion, their brick red fur boldly outlined in black, their delicate features picked out by just a handful of masterful brushstrokes onto the plate. While the cushion’s pattern recalls Hockney’s earlier series of swimming pools, the off register effect of the red going over the black recalls the signature screen print style of Andy Warhol, who was also a big fan of sausage dogs. The dogs are shown at rest, as is typical for these portraits, which span from the late ’80s to late ’90s, suggesting the artist had a hard time pinning them down for a sitting when they were awake. With eyes closed they are blissfully unaware of Hockney's gaze and emit an aura of peace and intimacy, and of complete comfort, which tells us more about their relationship with Hockney than if he had included himself in the portrait. One of Hockney's most painterly prints of his pets, Small Dogs recalls his later works on canvas as well as his digital drawings.