Taschen’s new book charts the role of dogs in the history of photography

Date
4 May 2018

Taschen’s latest book The Dog in Photography charts the changing relationship between humans and their best pals throughout the history of photography. The book was written and curated by Raymond Merritt, an International Centre of Photography trustee, and offers a unique insight into the relationship between dogs, humans and the art form by honing in on 400 canine portraits.

The publication includes work by Man Ray, Eric Fischl, Wolfgang Tillmans, Vincent Versace, and Elliott Erwitt and features iconic dog-loving figures including Paul and Linda McCartney, Queen Elizabeth II, Liz Taylor, James Dean, Audrey Hepburn, John Steinbeck, Richard Nixon, Lauren Bacall and John F Kennedy. Alongside the images, The Dog in Photography contains reflective essays that explore how dogs’ social roles have evolved and changed as a result of major global events like World War One and the Vietnam War.

Starting from 1839 to the present day, the book illustrates how the camera has been a key witness to a huge variety of dog breeds, their individual characters and social purposes. The book is part of Taschen’s Bibliotheca Universalis series, a set of cultural volumes that celebrate a variety of subjects from Manga artists to decorative 60s art.

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Raymond Merritt: The Dog in Photography. Courtesy of Taschen

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Raymond Merritt: The Dog in Photography. Courtesy of Taschen

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Raymond Merritt: The Dog in Photography. Courtesy of Taschen

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Raymond Merritt: The Dog in Photography. Courtesy of Taschen

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Raymond Merritt: The Dog in Photography. Courtesy of Taschen

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Raymond Merritt: The Dog in Photography. Courtesy of Taschen

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Raymond Merritt: The Dog in Photography. Courtesy of Taschen

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About the Author

Daphne Milner

Daphne has worked for us for a few years now as a freelance writer. She covers everything from photography and graphic design to the ways in which artists are using AI.

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