Euro Puppy BLOG

Alberto Giacometti- the famous surrealist sculptor- made a sculpture of a Saluki dog in 1951. It was simply entitled: "Dog". Yet the model itself is not as simple as one would believe. Many dog researchers believe, that the Saluki - an Egyptian hunting dog - is recognized as the oldest breed of dog in the world. In 1965, Giacometti recalled the genesis of the dog sculpture: " One day I was walking along the Rue de Vanves, in the rain, close to the walls of the buildings, feeling a little sad perhaps, and I felt like a dog just then. So I made that sculpture. The sad muzzle has a likeness to the Saluki."

Made of bronze and cast in 1957, it measures 18 x 39 x 6 1/8" (45.7 x 99 x 15.5 cm). It can be seen at the Museum of Modern Art in the US.


And the model? What does a Saluki look like? Its emaciated look, was ideal for Giacometti's sculpture!