The Women Artists Who Inspire My Pet Portraits
It’s the 8th of March, so that means it’s International Women’s Day!
I always like to take a moment to pause and think about the artists who have paved the way for me today.
You may not know this, but I studied History of Art at university. I remember that even whilst studying what felt like a predominantly female-dominated industry, the number of women artists we actually studied was surprisingly small.
One book always sticks in my mind: The Story of Art by E.H. Gombrich. It’s considered one of the most important books within the study of art history. Yet Gombrich’s book didn’t include non-Western art, or a single woman artist.
Because of that, I always find it interesting to look back at the women artists who were creating animal paintings and pet portraits throughout history. Many of them were hugely successful in their own time, yet they often appear far less frequently in the art history books.
Here are a few artists whose work I always find inspiring.
Rosa Bonheur
Rosa Bonheur (1822–1899) is probably one of the most famous animal painters in history.
In the nineteenth century she was widely known for her incredibly detailed and realistic paintings of animals, particularly horses, cattle, and wildlife. Her understanding of anatomy and movement was remarkable, and she spent a lot of time studying animals directly in order to capture them accurately.
What I admire most about Bonheur’s work is the respect she gives to her subjects. The animals in her paintings feel strong and individual, rather than sentimental or decorative.
As a pet portrait artist today, I think that sense of careful observation is still incredibly important. When you’re drawing someone’s pet, it’s not just about making something look “cute”. It’s about noticing the small details that make that animal recognisable to the people who love them.
Catharina van Hemessen
Going back even further, Catharina van Hemessen (1528–after 1565) was a Flemish Renaissance painter known for her portrait work.
One painting that often comes up in discussions of animals in portraiture is Portrait of a Woman with a Dog, painted around 1551. In this painting, the small dog acts as a symbol of loyalty and companionship, which was a common idea in portraiture at the time.
Animals were often included in paintings as symbols, rather than being the main subject.
Today, when people commission custom pet portraits, that relationship feels quite different. You can see my take on custom custom pet portraits here.
The pet itself becomes the centre of the artwork, and the portrait becomes a way of celebrating that relationship.
Leonor Fini
Leonor Fini (1907–1996) had a very different relationship with animals in her work.
Often associated with Surrealism, Fini lived with many cats throughout her life, and they appear frequently in her paintings and photographs. Her cats often feel mysterious and watchful, which cat lover will probably recognise!
Cats have such a distinctive presence, and capturing that personality can be one of the most interesting parts of drawing them. 
Gwen John
Another artist I always enjoy returning to is Gwen John (1876–1939).
Her paintings are often very quiet and intimate. Many of them show simple interior scenes, sometimes with cats sitting alongside their owners.
There’s something very calm about these paintings. Nothing feels overly dramatic or staged. Instead, the animals simply exist alongside the people in the room.
I think there’s something lovely about that idea. Pets are such an ordinary part of everyday life, but they also become incredibly important to the people who live with them.
Why This Still Matters
Looking back at these artists is always a reminder that animals have long been part of artistic practice.
Sometimes they were painted as symbols, sometimes as companions, and sometimes as subjects in their own right. Today, pet portraits continue that tradition in a slightly different way.
As a pet portrait artist based in Glasgow, I feel very connected to that long history of artists trying to capture the character of the animals around us.
When someone commissions a portrait of their pet, they’re not just asking for a drawing of an animal. They’re asking for something that captures personality, character, and memory.
That’s something I’m always thinking about when I sit down to draw.
See My Pet Portrait Artwork
I create custom pet portraits from photographs, working carefully to capture the small details that make each pet unique.
Portfolio | Custom artwork | Art prints
Each portrait is drawn by hand and created to capture the individual personality of the animal, whether it’s a dog, a cat, or another much-loved companion!