Golden retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in America and golden retriever art shares the same success as the breed which it depicts. Because of this popularity, the ways and methods with which this canine is represented in art ranges from realistic dog prints to contemporary pop art paintings.
Golden retriever canvas art typically depicts the breed in two ways, either as a short hair which looks similar to a Labrador or with longer wavy hair. Many of the more graphic styles choose to employ the former, while detailed canine portraits prefer to use the longer curvy hair that has become a trademark of this breed.
Many of the examples of golden retriever art have a similar feel to it though, regardless of how the individual canines are portrayed. Playing off of the fun-loving and carefree attitudes that are characteristic of the breed, many of the dog artworks featuring them have a sense of sunshine and good-nature laziness that reminds people of summer and good times. Dog art like 'Hazy, Hot, and Humid' by Polly Thompson and 'Golden Flower Co.' by Stephen Fowler are perfect examples of these themes in golden retriever art.
Many highly successful artists include golden retrievers into their dog art. Dog pop artists like Dean Russo, in particular, capture the energetic and kind natures of these canines. Modern canine portraits like Russo's 'Silence is Golden' and 'Golden Retriever' examine their playful personalities while his vivid coloring brings their joy and sunny dispositions into the viewer's home.
However, a carefree outlook isn't the only character trait that people love about these dogs. Many modern artists, like retro dog artist Alicia Ludwig, choose to focus on the intelligence of these animals. Her beautifully simple contemporary paintings display this popular breed performing different tricks that are typically picked up quickly by these intelligent pooches. However, where Ludwig's paintings are simple, other artists choose to represent this aspect of the golden retriever personality more realistically, like Elizabeth Hope.
