Four Dachshunds 1900

Curator: What a delightful, if somewhat formal, assembly of canines. I find myself smiling! Editor: Well, let’s dive in. What we have here is Carl Reichert’s “Four Dachshunds,” painted circa 1900 using oil paint. Immediately, I’m drawn to how the artist employs the medium; the slick, almost enamel-like surface gives these pups a very particular kind of finish. Curator: Indeed! Oil allows for such precise rendering. One thinks about the commission behind such a piece; were these pets of particular import to someone? Animal portraiture was hardly new, but the context of representing bourgeois status through beloved pets feels relevant here. Consider the leashes and medals. What do they tell us about their social standing? Editor: Precisely! And it’s hard to ignore how Reichert seems to celebrate materiality itself, the sheen of the dogs’ coats meticulously recreated with the application of paint. The oil, likely commercially produced and relatively standardized, contributes to an almost factory-like aesthetic, in its perfection, despite the handcraft. Curator: And shouldn’t we also be considering the historical positioning of this painting? Dog breeding, especially purebreds like these dachshunds, was rapidly changing at the turn of the century with dog shows, clubs, and changing conceptions of domestic spaces and animal rights. One could easily imagine these pampered pooches winning prizes. Editor: Of course, and I’m not just talking about awards—the actual minerals and pigments. Let's consider the provenance of these raw materials used to fabricate this canvas. These substances travel extensively before Reichert handles them! The creation of these paints is itself worthy of attention. The entire system from acquiring to refining—each part played its role. Curator: I am curious about what the painting lacked… I suppose in its time there would be few institutional art boundaries broken… While “dog portraits” are prevalent today and found frequently in galleries, the history is not long when this genre and these types of artmaking were accepted widely. Editor: I'd agree. Perhaps the interesting takeaway is looking at a hyper-real rendering and being so aware of everything THAT has led to it. Not so far removed, perhaps, from digital creations today. Curator: It certainly makes you consider where the lines are drawn and who draws them. Editor: Exactly. An artwork of its time—reflecting not only aesthetics but global economies, which affect everything.