Domestic Livestock

Domestic Livestock for portraits

Animals have always been a favourite subject for artists to paint and sculpt. Over the centuries domestic livestock animals have been painted and sculpted as portraits representing their breed.

Species such as cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats and domestic breeds of birds, have all been immortalised in art. Dogs can also be added to this list as they rank amongst the top domestic animals alongside horses, to be portrayed in this form of art. The champion show animals are the most common portraits produced of domestic livestock. The ‘not so perfect’ domesticated animals that have become pets have also been commissioned as art.

The various types of domestic birds are a favourite subject of many artists, birds such as ducks, geese, chickens, pigeons and doves. In more recent times, the introduction of the more exotic species such as peacocks, guinea fowl and tropical pheasants, have created an interest amongst some animal portrait artists.

The breeders and farmers of the larger mammal species such as cattle or pigs commission artists to paint or sculpt their prize bulls or award winning breeding show pigs. These are not only to show off the animal but also to remind them of the good business these animals have brought them.

Portraits of these types of subjects are a celebration of the wonderful diversity we have in our domestic livestock. Some rare and extinct breeds are best remembered in portrait art.

However, new species are being introduced into the livestock market as farming practices change and so new subjects for portraits are available. Species such as llama, buffalo, ostrich and wild boar are interesting additions to a very diverse list of domestic livestock.