Humorous and insightful photographs exploring the quirky relationships between dogs and their owners will open in the Wachovia Gallery at the James A. Michener Art Museum on April 26. “Elliott Erwitt: Dog Dogs,” is a sampling from an extensive series by American photojournalist Elliott Erwitt (b 1928), and includes more than 60 black and white photographs taken around the world between 1946 and 2000.
Erwitt sees the dignity of the ankle-high Chihuahua, the anxiety of the homeless hound, the patience of the pom-pommed poodle and the matchless joy of the homely but well-loved pug. Organized by Magnum Paris and art2art circulating exhibitions, these acute observations of the canine world prove that human relationships with furry friends are often due to or result in mutual resemblance and emotion.
“Elliott Erwitt is one of the real masters of Twentieth Century photography,” says Brian H. Peterson, senior curator at the Michener. “His style is low-key and unobtrusive, but as you get to know his pictures you gradually begin to see their wit, insight and visual skill.”
Erwitt’s images have appeared in such publications as Life, Look, Holiday and Collier’s , as well as in the renowned 1955 Museum of Modern Art, New York, exhibition “The Family of Man.”
Born in Paris to Russian parents, Erwitt spent his childhood in Milan, then emigrated to the United States via France with his family in 1939. After service in the United States Army as a photographic assistant, Erwitt joined the prestigious Magnum Photos agency in 1953.
An accompanying paperback titled Dog Dogs is available for $9.95 in the museum shop.
Due to scheduled expansion at the James A. Michener Art Museum, 31 South Pine Street, the closing date of August 31, may be changed. For information, 215-340-9800 or www.michenermuseum.org .
