PETS IN MASTERPIECES
Shiba in the Great Wave
Let a familiar smile meet Hokusai’s waves.
Inspired by Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa, this portrait brings blue-and-white waves, distant Mount Fuji and a black Shiba’s smile into one scene. Upright ears, pale eyebrow markings and familiar coat colours keep the dog at the centre of the work.
Starting sizes refer to the painting itself, excluding the frame. Outer frame dimensions, other sizes and display options are confirmed in the artwork plan.
Discuss This SeriesThe portrait starts with the upright ears and open-mouth smile in the original photograph. The meeting of dark and pale fur, the eyebrow markings and the cheek shape keep the dog recognizable in a new setting.
The curling wave and distant Mount Fuji in Hokusai’s print become blue-and-white forms around the portrait, with wave patterns continuing across the clothing. A brown wood-grain frame gathers the vivid colours around the familiar smile and the movement of ukiyo-e.
From a favourite photo to a place in everyday life.
Hang it on a wall by the window, in a reading corner or somewhere you pass each day. Natural light, wood tones and simple everyday objects bring out the blue-and-white waves, giving the dog’s smile a small place in the room.
For someone who loves their pet and Japanese art, bring a familiar photograph together with elements of a favourite masterpiece. A birthday, an anniversary of meeting or a personal keepsake can hold both affections in one small work.
Images are display illustrations. Painting dimensions, framing and display arrangements are confirmed in your artwork plan.
Start with your photograph, the feeling you like and the place you have in mind. Together, we agree on an artwork plan that suits you.
Share a clear photograph showing the face, ears, eyebrow markings and main coat colours. Point out an open-mouth smile, the tongue or a favourite expression you would like to keep as the starting point for the artwork.
Discuss the colours, lines and background elements of a favourite masterpiece, then consider how they can support the pet’s character. This example draws on Hokusai’s waves and blue-and-white palette; the frame and display arrangement are confirmed with the artwork plan.
Agree on the painting size, outer frame dimensions and display arrangement for the intended placement. If it is a gift, share the date you hope to receive it and the feeling you want to convey.
