The Watch Dog by George Rodrigue (Interpretation and Analysis)

The Watch Dog
Source: Daily Art Magazine

When it comes to animals in art, I usually focus on cats in this blog. However, today I’m going to switch gears and discuss the dog, an animal that certainly makes its fair share of appearances in art.

American artist George Rodrigue is particularly famous for his paintings of dogs. Rodrigue, who was originally from Louisiana, spent his career trying to preserve the disappearing Cajun culture through art. He was inspired by the loup-garou legend (an element of Cajun culture that is similar to the legend of the werewolf) to create his series of Blue Dog paintings. The paintings, which depict the blue dog in various situations and contexts, are now famous worldwide.

The Watch Dog is an excellent example of his Blue Dog series. According to my research, the piece was originally conceived as an illustration for a story about an evil dog guarding a house. The piece depicts the blue dog—originally based on a photo of the artist’s deceased pet Tiffany—sitting in front of a red, Victorian style house. A black tree looms ominously behind the house. The painting emanates a dark and fantastical sense of foreboding, hinting at horror and black magic. While other Blue Dog paintings are lighter in subject, The Watch Dog conveys a wonderful sense of narrative, truly capturing the charm of the Blue Dog paintings.

Interestingly, it is usually black dogs that are associated with the supernatural realm in Western culture. The folkloric black dog is known as a omen of death and is often linked to witchcraft or demonic forces. This aura of mystery has given the black dog a portentous and magical energy in art and literature. While Rodrigue deals in blue dogs, it seems that he has been able to encapsulate the same energy. As Rodrigue explained in an interview with The New York Times:

“The yellow eyes are really the soul of the dog. He has this piercing stare. People say the dog keeps talking to them with the eyes, always saying something different. People who have seen a Blue Dog painting always remember it. They are really about life, about mankind searching for answers. The dog never changes position. He just stares at you. And you’re looking at him, looking for some answers, ‘Why are we here?,’ and he’s just looking back at you, wondering the same. The dog doesn’t know. You can see this longing in his eyes, this longing for love, answers.”

Whatever the reason, Rodrigue is certainly correct that the blue dog is spellbinding. His dogs summon a sense of mystery and wonder that transcends the canvas, making them modern icons of American visual culture.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.