Dog with a Biscuit and a Chinese Cup

Time for one of the cutest dogs in art history! For me, this is the best dog portrait ever! It was painted by Giovanna Garzoni, an Italian painter of the Baroque period. She was one of the first women artists to work in the still life genre. Today, she is best known for her delicate watercolor paintings of plants, vegetables, and animals. But she also painted religious, mythological, and allegorical subjects, as well as portraits. In this still life, a small dog sits on a table accompanied by a finely decorated teacup and biscotti, a traditional Italian cookie. A few crumbs scattered across the table suggest that the dog may have nibbled at the dessert. 

Although I'm a cat person, this dog always makes me smile.  :)

P.S. The Dog with a Biscuit is one of the postcards we have printed in our 50 Animals Postcards Set.  :)

P.P.S. Discover more women artists with us! Check out the sweet kittens by the Rijksmuseum's star, Henriëtte Ronner-Knip.  <3