Poodles in Art
Poodles At The French Court
Dogs were everywhere at the French Court. Louis XIV, an avid hunter, kept many types of dogs, including Poodles; he even commissioned portraits of his favorites, although most of these are now lost. Many of the grand panoramic views of Versailles show Poodles frolicking in the gardens.
Left:(Habert, ca 1662) Henrietta, Duchesse d'Orleans, as Diana. French Royalty were often depicted as classical gods; as the sister-in-law of Louis XIV and daughter of Charles I, Diana was an appropriate role for her.
Right: Deatil of her Poodle. Note the full tail and trimmed body. The inclusion of a Miniature Poodle in a depiction of the goddess of hunting indicates that the dog was considered a top hunter.
Left: Wives When Their Husbands Are Away (Bosse, ca 1640) A group of elegant, well-to-do French ladies are enjoying an extravagant meal. The canopied bed in the rear and the expensive tapestries on the walls indicate that this is the living room:all the most expensive pieces are on public display.
The title tells all: they aren't supposed to have a party like this, and so one lady bribes a maid to keep her quiet. At the lower right, a small Poodle squares off with a defensive tabby cat over a plate filled with table scraps.
Right: Detail. The little Poodle is in a typical leonine clip, with a full moustache. While not unique to Poodles, the general conformation of the dog suggests that it is a Poodle.
Cats were associated with women in 17th C France. It's possible that the Poodle represents the husband, confronting his wife over the costly meal.