A Dog Looking to the Right

Art Historical Context

In the Drawings and Prints department of the Museum of Art, Tobiasimmer's *A Dog to the Right* (1564) captivates with its intimate portrayal of a vigilant canine. Created when the Swiss artist was just 25, this small sheet—measuring 5 1/8 x 6 11/16 inches—showcases Stimmer's mastery of Renaissance draftsmanship. Using pen and gray ink for precise lines, combined with brush and black and gray wash for subtle tonal modeling, the work brings the dog's alert expression and textured fur to life, evoking a sense of quiet intensity. Stimmer, active in Basel and Strasbourg during the Northern Renaissance, drew inspiration from Italian mannerism and German print traditions. Dogs were popular motifs in 16th-century art, often symbolizing loyalty or appearing in hunting scenes and decorative grotesques—genres where Stimmer excelled through woodcuts and frescoes. This drawing likely served as a study, highlighting his skill in capturing animal anatomy with fluid, economical strokes. Acquired in 2007 through the Jean A. Bonna Gift, this piece offers a window into an artist's preparatory process, where wash techniques added depth and volume to ink sketches. It's a delightful reminder of how everyday subjects like dogs fueled the creativity of Renaissance masters.