Beasts or Best Friends? Animals in Art

Adored as pets, worshipped as gods, exploited for food and hunted for sport. Beasts or Best Friends? Animals in Art asks its audience to consider whether humans really are animals’ best friend. Visitors will be able to judge for themselves as they explore how the dynamic relationship between humankind and the animal world is depicted in art. 

The exhibition is a collaboration between Southampton City Art Gallery and Russell-Cotes, Bournemouth and draws upon the wealth of animal art held within both collections, including work by some of the most famous animal painters in their day: James Ward, Edwin Landseer, Briton Riviere, Thomas Sidney (Cow) Cooper and Lucy Kemp-Welch. The exhibition will also feature work by 20th century artists Barry Flanagan, Henry Moore and Maggie Hambling.

Image Credit: Heywood H Hardy, A Lion’s Head (Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum)

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