What would the home be without our furry friends? More sweet smelling? Less hairy? Yes, well, in any case, many are there among us who would find something missing without an animal in the house. I was reminded how very doting the relationship has been even for kings the other day at the Chateau of Fontainebleau. As the French have it, "avoir du chien" or literally,
"to have some dog" is a very good thing ! !
Which means, more accurately, TO HAVE OOMPH !
The expression often refers to an attractive woman, but in this case, it's the dogs who are stealing the show.
"to have some dog" is a very good thing ! !
Which means, more accurately, TO HAVE OOMPH !
The expression often refers to an attractive woman, but in this case, it's the dogs who are stealing the show.
The chateau of Fontainebleau is a magnificent site that represents 800 years of royal tradition. It is an architectural and decorative splendor composed through time and originally favored
for the proximity of its forest - a hunting paradise.
Naturally the relationship between man and dog here was strong. This painting snapped in passing in the chateau shows many a pup and care was taken to label each one with his name.
(Apologies for the awkward photo and nasty glare on the painting.)
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Clearly, these pampered pets had more than one kind of flair.
Effigies of these faithful friends were enlisted for tasks other than hunting.
detail of desk
Fetch, Rex !
panelling in the Francois I gallery
Beneath frescos by Primaticcio in the Rennaissance gallery of Francois I,
reverent hounds frame the king's salamander symbol.
photo chateau de Fontainebleau
The garden of Diana takes its name from the bronze statue of the Huntress, copy of the antique Roman marble created by Francini and placed here in 1603. The original statue is today in the Louvre; this one dates to 1684. Surprisingly, the dogs by sculptor Pierre Biard date to 1603
and were part of the original group.
source le chien dans l'art
Fine Lise and Lise pose with a forest warden under Louis XV
in a painting by Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686-1755), artist famed for his representations of animals.
source le chien dans l'art
Polydore by Oudry
