A dog in a jewelled crown or a cat in a velvet gown might look like a modern joke – but pets have been sharing the canvas with kings and queens for hundreds of years. Today’s royal pet portraits borrow from a very old tradition, and knowing a little of that history makes them even more fun.
Pets at court
For centuries, a formal portrait was one of the most important ways for a powerful family to show who they were. Painters included the things that mattered to their sitters: armour, jewels, land – and very often their animals. Hunting dogs stood for nobility and loyalty; small lap dogs showed comfort and refinement.
Some famous examples:
- Titian painted Emperor Charles V with a Dog (1533), with the emperor’s large hound standing at his side.
- Diego Velázquez placed a big, sleepy mastiff right at the front of Las Meninas (1656), one of the most studied paintings in history.
- Thomas Gainsborough painted dogs both alongside their owners and on their own, including his much-loved portrait of a Pomeranian and her puppy.
- Queen Victoria adored her dogs and had them painted many times – Sir Edwin Landseer’s portrait of her spaniel Dash is one of the best known.
From supporting role to star of the painting
Over time, pets moved from the edge of the frame to the centre. By the 18th and 19th centuries, wealthy owners were commissioning portraits of their animals alone. What was once reserved for royalty slowly became something any animal lover could dream of.
Why royal pet portraits are so popular today
The modern royal pet portrait flips the old tradition with a wink: instead of the king posing with his dog, the dog is the king. A few reasons people love them:
- They capture personality. The bossy cat finally gets the crown she always thought she deserved; the gentle giant becomes a noble general.
- They’re funny and beautiful at the same time. A classic oil-painting look with a familiar, furry face makes people smile every time they walk past.
- They’re completely personal. No two are the same, which makes them an easy, meaningful gift.
How we create them
We don’t paint from scratch. We’re a digital design studio: our designers combine your photo with a classic costume and background, using retouching, brush work and blending techniques to give it the look of an old master painting. You approve a proof by email before anything is printed, and revisions are unlimited.
Want to see the tradition continue with your own pet? Browse queens and duchesses, kings and generals, or portraits for the whole furry family.