From cattle dogs to lap dogs, divine felines to the black cats of superstition a new exhibition coming to the National Gallery of Victoria called Cats & Dogs, will explore humanity’s deep connection to the beloved animals through more than 250 works of art and design.
Drawn from the NGV Collection and spanning all periods and media, this cross-cultural and transhistorical examination of cats and dogs in art and design reveals how our domesticated companions have long been a rich source of visual imagery in art and mark-making – from ancient history to the present day.
Poster for the Company of the Black Cat (Prochainement la très illustre Compagnie du Chat Noir) 1896 colour lithograph 56.3 x 36.0 cm (image) 61.9 x 40.0 cm (sheet)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Purchased, NGV Foundation, 2022
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Yvonne Pettengell Bequest, 2014 © Elad Lassry and 303 Gallery, New York
The exhibition features works by contemporary and historical artists including Rembrandt van Rijn, Francisco de Goya, Albrecht Dürer, Pierre Bonnard, Eileen Mayo, David Hockney, Jeff Koons, Hulda Guzmán and more alongside celebrated Australian artists, including Claudia Moodoonuthi, Trevor Turbo Brown, Atong Atem, Charles Blackman, Grace Cossington Smith and Nora Heysen.
Quaker girl 1915 Oil on canvas 67.0 × 51.6 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Presented by the National Gallery Society of Victoria, 1967
© Estate of Grace Cossington Smith3-5
Poodle dress, gemstone underwear and fishnet 2015
The Dreams and Screams collection, autumn–winter 2015
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Artists, 2016
© DI$COUNT UNIVER$SE Pty Ltd
Presented thematically, with dogs on one side and cats on the other, the exhibition unpacks particular behaviours, cultural symbolism and art-historical motifs. These include: working dogs and cats; mythology and the occult; religion and spirituality; and cats and dogs in popular culture.
inkjet print 148.1 x 98.3 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Purchased, Victoria Foundation of Living Australian Artists, 2022
© Atong Atem
Richard St George Mansergh – St George
c. 1776–80 oil on canvas
230.2 × 156.1 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Felton Bequest, 1922
Highlighting the surprising diversity of images and objects representing cats and dogs, the exhibition traverses painting, prints, drawings, textiles, photography, decorative arts and fashion. Revealing the global appeal of these animals across borders and cultures, the exhibition includes a breadth of works from Australia, Europe, Asia and North America.
Major Partners, DINE and MY DOG, will celebrate cats and dogs with an interactive activation enabling visitors to share images of their beloved pets and many other fun activities during the exhibition to be announced.
Joan and her dog 1975, printed 1976 gelatin silver photograph 15.2 × 22.9 cm (image) 19.6 × 25.2 cm (sheet)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Purchased from Admission Funds, 1991 © Christine Godden
NGV and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) will present an exciting selection of cat and dog moments from film. Also included will be ephemera from the enduringly popular kids’ television program Felix the Cat, created by Australian illustrator Pat Sullivan.
Cats & Dogs is on display from 1 November 2024 to 20 July 2025 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square. Admission fees apply. For further information and tickets, please visit the NGV website: NGV.MELBOURNE
