Tuscanian Animals & Dogs
Shih Tzu
by Elena Vittori
Beneath the long, silken coat hide two dark eyes that meet the viewer head-on. The Shih Tzu carries the dignity of centuries at the imperial court, held in a small, affectionate body.
- TechniqueHahnemühle · Dibond
- Size75 × 100 cm
- EditionEdition of 24
- Price€995
The little lion of the court
The Shih Tzu is among the oldest lapdogs in the world, with roots in Tibet and China. The name means something like 'lion dog', a reference to the lion of Buddhist symbolism. For centuries the little dog was a cherished companion within the walls of the Chinese imperial court, where under the Ming and Qing dynasties it ranked among the favourites of emperors and their households. Only in the twentieth century did the breed reach the West.
Its character is gentle, cheerful and decidedly people-oriented. The Shih Tzu is neither a hunting dog nor a guard, but above all a companion: affectionate, spirited and devoted to its people. Its friendly, even-tempered nature makes it a beloved house dog.
The most striking feature is the long, double coat that can fall to the ground like a mantle and appears in many colours. Beneath all that hair hides a small, sturdy body with a short muzzle and large, round eyes. Elena Vittori concentrates on that gaze — full of trust and ancient nobility. The fresco treatment gives the silken coat the texture of weathered plaster, as though the little dog had stepped out of an old palace fresco.
