Top 5 Popular Pet Portraits

From Mickey Mouse and Kermit the Frog to Grumpy Cat, there are some animals that most everyone can recognize. Whether they have their own movies, TV shows, or internet followings, some animals have made their way into the hearts of the public. This sort of recognition goes beyond just digital media though. Before we had The Muppet Show and Mickey Mouse Club there were a number of animals who rose to fame because of their portraits. Since creatively capturing pets is our specialty at Iconic Paw, here are our rankings of the top 5 animal portraits.

5. The Goldfinch

You no longer have to be an art connoisseur to recognize one of the last remaining paintings of Dutch artist Carel Fabritius. This small portrait rose to fame after being the subject of a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel in 2014 and then a movie in 2019. After starring alongside the likes of Ansel Elgort, Nicole Kidman, and Jeffrey Wright, this tiny bird has earned itself a spot on our list.

4. Blue Dog

Whether or not you recognize this oddly colored pup is probably proportional to the number

of times you’ve visited Louisiana or how much you love jazz music. While this little terrier may not be as famous as some of the other animals on this list, it gets credit for representing a whole region of the US. When commissioned for a painting with a theme of Louisiana ghost stories, artist George Rodrigue turned the image of his old studio dog into a pop art icon.

3. William Wegman’s Weimaraner

Maybe we all didn’t grow up readingChip Wants a Dog, but there’s something about photographer William Wegman’s portraits that leave a lasting impression. Maybe it’s the anthropomorphic proportions, maybe it’s the idea that one day I could wake up with the head of a dog, either way, I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only disturbed yet fascinated kid with these books.

2. Vanessa Stockard’s Black Cats

Stockard is an artist doing wonders for black cat enthusiasts everywhere. While black cats are still the least likely to be adopted in shelters around the world, these paintings remind us that they are balls of fluff with fancy tastes just like every other cat. With big eyes and massive ruffled collars, these kittens are currently snatching hearts all over the internet.

1. Dogs Playing Poker

Easily the most recognizable pet portrait, this painting has appeared or been recreated in films, TV shows, and many other art forms. Originally created by Cassius Coolidge in a series of sixteen paintings as advertisements for Brown & Bigelow

cigars, this work of art has moved into our collective consciousness and earned itself the top spot on our list.

Just like the portraits listed above, Iconic Paw wants to help you create a picture of your pet that will leave a lasting memory. At https://iconicpaw.com/ we can help you find a fun, unique portrait style that lets your pet’s personality shine, so come check us out and see how we can make your pet the pick of the litter!