Brizo, A Shepherd's Dog

The dog is a female otterhound. Otterhounds were usually kept in packs and the breed is an unusual choice for a shepherd’s dog, although the Kennel Club describes otterhounds as ‘aimiable and even-tempered’. The reference to a shepherd’s dog in the title dates from the first catalogue of the Wallace Collection’s paintings, published in 1900, rather than earlier inventories. The inscription has probably been added by a later hand. Brizo was an ancient Greek goddess, the protector of sailors and fishermen.

This particular artwork captures the warm, attentive expression of a shepherd’s dog named Brizo. Rosa Bonheur, with her adept realism technique, meticulously renders the texture of the dog’s fur, varying from the wiry hairs on its face to the softer, fluffier coat along its body. The color palette is predominantly made of earthy tones, and the painter’s careful use of light and shadow gives the dog a lifelike presence. Brizo’s eyes possess a gentle intelligence, suggesting the loyal and alert nature typical of a shepherd’s dog.