Original works of art

Conradijn Cunaeus was known primarily for his portraits of dogs. Born in Dendermonde, Cunaeus trained at the Academy in Amsterdam (1844-49) and studied under Nicolas Pieneman, a Dutch landscapist and portraitist. In 1850 he became a part of the "Arti et Amicitiae" group in Amsterdam. He lived in Kouderouk aan de Rijn and Amsterdam before settling in Nieuwer-Amstel. He exhibited at the Hague and in Amsterdam between 1847 and 1884.

The great majority of Cunaeus' dog paintings are pet portraits, even though they depict purebred dogs. The artist's work is characterized by a solid understanding of anatomy and the character of dogs, as well as a soft palette. He rarely used deep, rich colors, blending white into his palette to create a somewhat diffused effect.