English bull terriers, also known affectionately as 'bullies', have a distinctive look that gets explored in bull terrier art. These canines have a lot of personality and many artists take advantage of their clownish looks and behavior to show off this under appreciated breed as the fun-loving and friendly pooches they are.
Bull terriers have a long history; however, it wasn't until modern times that English terrier prints have become popular among art audiences. Although the breed has been popular among breeders since the late 1800's, these animals didn't gain recognition in the art world until they began being depicted by graphic artists during the modern art movements of the 1950's by commercial illustrators like Ken Bailey, whose vintage works feature bull terrier caricatures.
One of the most prominent painters of these animals as a 'gentleman's companion' is Spanish artist Fabio Hurtado, who takes canine fine art to a whole new level with his innovative bull terrier designs. 'Bullies' are featured in his designs alongside fashionable women. His work 'A Long Weekend' is one of the many bull terrier prints that he created throughout his career. Using his unique style, which combines Cubism and graphic art, he creates a unique look at the bull terrier breed as an enthusiastic companion of the wealthy women in his work.
There are many realistic examples of bull terrier artwork but few portray these friendly animals as well as Robert McClintock. His realistic works showcase the personality of these canines in his bull terrier portraiture. These paintings explore the many colorings of bull terriers, from pure white to brindle varieties, and focus on the unique 'egg-shaped' heads of these canines in his animal fine art, as seen in his bull terrier artworks, 'Spike Bull Terrier' and 'Bull Terrier Bronson'. However, he also portrays full body poses in his work, as seen in 'Bull Terrier Down', where his use of extreme perspective highlights this terrier breed's willingness to spring into action at a moment’s notice.
