Jesse 

Julie Bell made this painting of a dog named Jesse in 2008. The painting prompts us to think about the relationship between humans and animals as it has developed over time, and how we memorialize that relationship through art. The image creates meaning through the visual codes of portraiture, traditionally reserved for humans, and through cultural references to the idea of “domestic bliss” often associated with pet ownership in countries like the United States. The painting seems to comment on contemporary social structures through its representation of the family unit. It is neither especially conservative nor progressive, but it invites us to think about the institution of the family and the status of animals within it. To understand the painting better, one might research popular attitudes toward pets and the family unit in the United States during the early 21st century, and one might also investigate the tradition of pet portraiture and its connections to mainstream art institutions.