Dogs in the Louvre [Hardcover]

Francois Nourissier (Author), Elisbeth Foucart-Walter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 2008 | Series: In the Louvre

Throughout the ages, artists have frequently depicted dogs as symbols of positive values such as courage, loyalty, and vigilance. Whether serving as guards, guides, companions, or hunters, dogs have a very strong presence in the great artworks at the Louvre. They appear in the form of Mesopotamian statuettes of the third millennium BC; they flank peasants in Le Nain’s paintings, or sit loyally at the queen’s side in Rubens’s The Coronation. They may be portrayed as active, accompanying Diana the Huntress, or pampered, as cherished lap dogs nestled on cushions.This beautiful volume is packed with works from all of the Louvre’s many departments. Each painting or sculpture is shown in its entirety and in detail, to highlight the canine presence, and is accompanied by short, illuminating commentary. The book opens with a preface in which the prize-winning author draws upon his own personal experiences with man’s most loyal companions. Dogs in the Louvre provides a delightfully unusual tour of the most visited gallery in the world, and invites the reader to engage in a fresh way with some of its perennially inspiring themes. It is a fitting tribute to man’s best friend.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

François Nourissier is a celebrated French novelist and President of the Académie Goncourt. He has contributed to many newspapers as a literary critic. He was awarded the Grand Prix du roman de la ville de Paris and the Jean Giono prize for his novels. Élisabeth Foucart-Walter is Chief Curator of the Painting Department at the Louvre. She co-wrote Painted Cat (Rizzoli, 1988), with Pierre Rosenberg.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Flammarion (February 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2080300504
• ISBN-13: 978-2080300508
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 0.5 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #446,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent title and best value!, September 25, 2008

By 

Jan Irving "erinrac.com" (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dogs in the Louvre (Hardcover)

Not a big volume, but beautifully produced in solid hardcover with full colour reproductions of the artwork being examined and often detail photos too. This volume looks at a cross section of the art in the famous Louvre to feature dogs. The text is informative and the selection of artwork is interesting and enchanting.

As a previous author of a historical review of a breed I found the content basically fulfilling, although I just wonder at the rationale in crediting some breeds to some artwork, but that is always a subjective task - I smiled while writing this as it is a bit like judges making the awards in the show ring.

However, for the breed historian, you could find something of particular interest in the pages of this 197 x 197 mm book, undoubtedly red setter lovers, and European gundog breed enthusiasts will, as will many toy breed devotees.

As a lover of fine art this book was also a pleasure to investigate.

It is an excellent gift or seek it out for yourself, the shelf price on this book is also very attractive!

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful book, June 20, 2009

By 

P. M. CRUZ - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dogs in the Louvre (Hardcover)

Thanks for this - the book arrived in perect condition and was sent on as a gift. It will be enjoyed. Would buy from this vendor again.