Beagle art has been a favorite subject among animal art enthusiasts ever since the 1950's, when American illustrators and creative artists began creating canine art featuring this famous dog breed. Since then, the beagle has gone on to be widely represented in pop art and other modern examples of canine illustration, and this category of art continues to be a highly popular subject and decorative opportunity for current day audiences.
Beagle art became one of the first commercialized forms of dog art available for the American public due to Coca-Cola's depictions of beagles in their 1957 art campaign which included framed beagle prints and illustrations on calendars, posters, and tins. Norman Rockwell also used beagles in his works, usually shown as the canine companion of young country boys, such as in the works 'Mysterious Malady' and 'Adventurers between Adventures'.
However, Norman Rockwell wasn't the only artist to depict beagles as a rambunctious and adventurous playmate. The bright-eyed inquisitiveness and energetic nature of beagles is often epitomized in beagle art prints and is one of the reasons why this dog breed has had so much success in the art world. Because of these child-like qualities, beagle folk art frequently involves a young boy as the dog's human companion, such as in Jim Daly's painting 'The Conversation' where a boy sits in thought while a young beagle puppy looks on with equal parts playful encouragement and concern for its friend. For many American audiences, beagle folk art is reminiscent of childhood and rural living.
Because of its playful nature and illustrative symbolism, modern artists are able to explore different aspects of creative potential in their beagle art. In Stephen Fowler's canine illustration 'Beagle Golf Ball Co.', the subject of a young beagle balancing a golf ball on its nose communicates the innocent showmanship of childhood. Dean Russo also brings a playful mindset to his work, 'Beagle', although this vividly colored beagle pop art hints at the naughtiness of children being caught by long-suffering parents.
