Lady with Dog 1899

Igor Grabar painted this oil on canvas titled 'Lady with Dog' sometime during his career. We can see how cultural values shape artistic choices when we consider the way this painting depicts the sitter’s social identity. The woman is formally dressed, and this, along with the vase of flowers, signals her membership of the Russian upper classes. The presence of the dog has social connotations, too. Dogs were popular pets in Europe among wealthy families, and the lady’s Dalmatian is as much a fashion accessory as her hat. These visual codes would have been understood by the Russian art world. As art historians, we use primary source material such as letters, diaries, and newspaper articles to understand the cultural context of the painting and to know more about Grabar’s influences and artistic development. By studying the social and institutional context of the work, we can appreciate how art reflects and shapes our understanding of society.