Pugs

What the painting shows

The painting shows two fawn pugs with dark ears and the breed's typical black masks on their faces. The dogs sit close together, pressed side by side, looking up with big, round brown eyes. The left pug tilts its head to the side with a slightly wrinkled face; the right one looks straight at the viewer with a friendly, curious expression.

The dogs are seen from above, as if looking up at someone holding a treat, which emphasises their short legs, round bodies and thick skin folds. Each wears a thin collar.

The background is outer space: a dark, almost black sky crossed by a band of galaxy in cobalt blue, purple and burgundy red, with a greenish nebula on the left. Hundreds of tiny white dots pose as stars. The caption "Stoned pugs in space" jokingly describes the cosmic, trippy mood of the painting.

Technique and style

A horizontal oil painting on canvas. The dogs are painted flat and smooth in a slightly illustrative style, while the cosmic background was made by sponging and rubbing paint, with the stars flicked on in white paint from a toothbrush or stiff brush. The contrast between the warm beige dogs and the cold, dark space makes the figures stand out clearly.

At a glance

• Medium: oil paint
• Surface: canvas
• Orientation: landscape (horizontal)
• Dominant colours: beige, black, cobalt blue, purple, burgundy, green, white
• Subjects: pugs, dogs, outer space, galaxy, stars, dog portrait

Fun fact

In 18th-century Germany there was a secret society called the Order of the Pug (Mopsorden). It was founded after 1738, when the Pope banned Catholics from joining the Freemasons, and it also admitted women. According to period descriptions, candidates at their initiation wore a dog collar, had to bark and were required to kiss a porcelain pug under its tail.

Want a similar painting?

The Fart studio paints commissioned artwork: portraits of people and pets, landscapes and absurd scenes like this one. You can order a similar piece featuring pugs, dogs, outer space, starring your own pet, a loved one or your favourite place. Just describe your idea in the contact form and attach a photo.