While wandering through the Jamie Wyeth section of the galleries the painting A Very Small Dog caught my eye because of the impressionistic style, the large white structure, and well, I like dogs.

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The scene takes place outside, the background is covered in green leaves and the sun is shining directly onto the white structure containing the dog. It turns out that the dog is sitting in an elaborate wicker pram complete with a lace umbrella. The pram is white and the front is shaped into a heart, from the heart the design swirls to the back of the pram where the umbrella is placed.

Inside this beautiful pram on a beautiful sunny day, one would expect to see a perfectly happy dog enjoying a stroll, however that is not the case. The dog is white and almost blends into his seat but his open growling mouth lets the viewer know he’s there and he is not happy to see you. You can almost hear his growl and the little high pitched bark that belongs to this dog. His aggressive attitude does not match the scene and is unexpected to the viewer.

From afar, this is a beautiful painting of an outdoor scene but upon closer view, although still beautiful, it is the home of an unfriendly dog who does not want you near to his painting.