Greyhound
The Ancint Breed of Nobility - Legendary Hidden Creation series
16"x20" - Introductory Offer: $29.00
A dynamic addition to the Hidden Creations series. Truly a breed of nobility and antiquity, the Greyhound, of eastern origins, can be traced back as far as 6000 B.C. Revered by the Egyptians, admired by the Romans and Greeks, honored and protected by aristocracy for centuries.  The grace, power and the beauty of this ancient purebred hound is right before us today to revere, admire, honor and protect.  

This work was inspired by my own newly adopted, retired racer, Gabbie.  She also modeled for parts of it.  There will be more Greyhound art coming soon.

The Hidden Creations highlight some of the Greyhounds noble history.
Also available as a greeting card!
The Story Behind the Art
As I researched the ancient and detailed history of the greyhound, it became apparent some major “readers digest” editing was going to have to happen.  There was no way I was going to get everything I wanted hidden into the artwork.  So, employing some ‘artist license’, I settled on some of the significant points and used design and symbolism to help tell the greyhounds noble and fascinating biography.  Or, should I rather say hagiography.  

Central to the art’s design are the circle, the square and the triangle.  They bring a flowing harmony, a unity and a foundation to the art.  Greyhounds have a mutual bond that is uniquely theirs.  No matter how large the gathering there is always a peace and harmony between them.  The three portraits within the circle also follow the lines of the triangle.  The lines blend creating a unity.  They are distinctly three yet almost appear as one.  On the right side of the triangle, where the circle intersects, faint images of prehistoric petroglyphs can be seen.  Some, found in southwestern Asia, date as far back as 6000 BC.  This one shows a definite greyhound-like figure.  Upward and center is the image of a Saluki.  The Saluki is a sighthound and is a brother to the Greyhound.  The Saluki is thought to be the oldest purebred dog in recorded history.  The triangle design also serves to suggest the pyramids and Egypt.  Hieroglyphs reveal the reverence the Egyptians had for the sighthounds; a reverence that helped protect and keep the purity of the breed.  This protection and high regard would follow the greyhound throughout history, within many cultures and across many countries.  On the lower left side, the outline of a Greek vase flows with the fur and body lines of the puppy.  On the vase, the image of Greek warriors going into battle with a greyhound are depicted.  The Romans, after conquering Egypt, took the sight hounds with them, bringing the breed further west.  From the middle ages, through the renaissance, and through Victorian England, the greyhound was admired for it’s natural grace, beauty, power and superb athletic ability.  The breed enjoyed the companionship of nobility and royalty.  Flowing from left to right, the noble greyhound in the vase seems to leap right out of antiquity into the 21st century!  The modern racing greyhound!  On the track, the racing greyhound’s career is short, usually two to five years.  After retirement, these gentle, noble, ancient athletes need loving, caring homes to give them the pampered life they have long earned.  The resting greyhound, located in the center and at the bottom of the circle, is one of the lucky greyhounds, who, through a caring adoption organization, has found her “forever” home.  The greyhound adopter’s of today are carrying on the ancient legacy of protecting, revering and respecting this ancient breed of nobility.

Additional notes:
The puppy’s portrait was used to be mindful that greyhounds are bred and raised solely for the track.  They are separated from their siblings at 6-8 months.  Race training begins quite young with actual racing starting at 18-20 months.  They are professionals.  They do not know life as the average puppy knows it.  The portrait on the right shows a mature, confident, experienced racer, proud and focused.  The portrait in the center is that of a newly adopted greyhound.  She is wonderfully overwhelmed with her new world.

The letters located at the bottom of the art is ancient hebrew.  It is a scripture giving the one and only direct reference to a canine breed in the bible, the greyhound holds that distinction!  Proverbs 30:29-31
Please note: All graphic samples displayed on this Web site are for display only and may not be downloaded for resale, personal, or commercial use. Prints are identical (lithographs) but colors could change slightly.