For more than 5000 years, artists have created an extraordinary array of captivating images of the dog - the animal that has enjoyed the closest and most intriguing relationship with man. This beautiful book is lavishly illustrated with works from all over the world, ranging from the earliest African rock paintings to the groundbreaking work of contemporary artists. It explores the various roles the dog has played in both art and society, including its depiction as a symbol of fidelity and romantic love; as a prized possession, vaunting its owner's power and wealth; as a treasured and loyal pet; as a mythological being, mysteriously travelling between the lands of the living and the dead; as a religious image of purity, or dissolution; and as an indispensable working and hunting companion. A vividly written text is accompanied by glorious images, featuring many different breeds, that capture the soulful, beguiling and dynamic character of man's best friend in its diverse incarnations, from protector to predator, dark force to deity.
Tamsin Pickeral was born in England a frightening amount of years ago. She is the daughter of a veterinary surgeon and an artist/art teacher. Art and animals have remained a defining influence on the author, who specialises in books on both subjects. Alongside her own books she has also been a major contributor to a number of multi-author art reference publications and exhibition catalogues. Her books are published internationally, and have been widely reviewed in leading newspapers and magazines.
Her academic training revolved around the arts, first with a period of time spent studying in Italy, before finishing her degree in history of art and architecture at Reading University.
Having learnt to ride (or at least stay on) at a young age on a belligerent ex-racing donkey, the author later moved on to competitive riding, eventing and showjumping with some success, and horses continue to play an important role in her life.
She wrote her first book (The Encyclopedia of Horses and Ponies, 1999) in the United States where she lived for eight years, much of it spent on a remote cattle ranch. During this period she continued her work with horses as well as being a veterinary nurse, while building her writing career. Following her move back to the UK, the author was able to devote herself full time to her profession.
Tamsin currently has a number of projects underway and is working extensively with several contemporary artists including leading figurative painter Chris Gollon, the subject of her latest book, Chris Gollon: Humanity in Art, published May 2010.
She has just been signed to write a major new study of the horse, reviewing 90 different breeds and examining their role in different cultures across the world. The book, which will be illustrated with photographs by award winning photographer Gary Coulson, has already been bought by publishing houses in Australia, North America and across Europe. Due for publication 2011.
For more information please visit www.tamsinpickeral.com
