"The Dog Show: Two Centuries of Canine Cartoons" at Ohio State

 

Snoopy, Biscuit, Grimmy, Marmaduke, Farley, Otto, Earl, Odie, Snert, Dawg, Sandy and Ruff.
Art by Eric Reaves. 

The Ohio State University Libraries presents The Dog Show: Two Centuries of Canine Cartoons, an exhibition curated by comics historian Brian Walker, features over one hundred different characters documenting the fascination that cartoonists have had with our furry friends. 

The Dog Show is on view June 19 through October 31, 2021. Admission is free.

Humans and dogs have a special relationship that goes back to our earliest encounters. 

The enduring graphic legacy of dogs in art can be seen in 8,000-year-old petroglyph murals depicting dogs with leashes helping a hunter who is holding a bow. 

Dogs continue to take on roles as loyal companions, dedicated workers and talented performers. Today, canines are also celebrated icons of popular literature, art and culture.

This exhibition features cartoon canines beginning with political cartoons from the 19th century and moving through to 21st century stars like Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man and Patrick McDonnell’s Earl. 

The exhibition includes representation from all major cartoon genres, including comic strips, editorial cartoons, magazine cartoons, comic books, illustration and animation. 

Over one hundred different characters are featured, including vintage comic strip canines such as Buster Brown’s Tige, Little Orphan Annie’s Sandy, Dagwood and Blondie’s Daisy and Charlie Brown’s Snoopy, as well as modern mutts like everyone’s favorite Great Dane Marmaduke, Odie from Garfield, Otto from Beetle Bailey, Ruff from Dennis the Menace, Farley from For Better or For Worse and Biscuit from Stone Soup. 

Other cartoon dogs represented include George Booth’s iconic New Yorker dogs, drawings by underground cartoonists Lynda Barry and Shary Flenniken, as well as animated canines from Goofy to Underdog to Scooby-Doo. 

The Dog Show: Two Centuries of Canine Cartoons is curated by Brian Walker.

UPDATE

"Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum goes to the dogs" in Columbus Alive.