The American Dog at Home: The Dog Portraits of Christine Merrill

While grounded in the traditions of 18th and 19th century England, the artist Christine Merrill has over the past 20 years created a body of work which depicts the American dog in its own especially American environment. Author William Secord spent twelve months traveling from coast to coast to visit thirty-three of Christine Merrills clients, interviewing them and photographing them, their collections and their dogs. Collectors include conductor Leon Fleisher, interior designer Bruce Bierman and best selling author Barbara Taylor Bradford. Each of the thirty-three essays in this book features an American dog owner who has commissioned Christine Merrill to capture their dog in oils. A biographical essay on Christine Merrill as well as a visual overview of the artists paintings are included. This book will appeal to a wide range of dog lovers, who increasingly view dogs as members of the family. Christine Merrill counts movie stars, authors, socialites and captains of industry among her clients, each with one thing in common: their love for their pets. This book opens a door onto these worlds. Over 30 different dog breeds are represented, from fifteen different states.