European school, 20th century.

European School, XX century.
"Dog".
Oil on canvas.
Signed in the lower left corner. Signature illegible.
Measurements: 65 x 35 cm, 72 x 43 cm (frame).

The work represents the head of a dog in the foreground, placed frontally and occupying almost the entire surface of the canvas. The animal is not depicted in a naturalistic way, but constructed through thick, visible and gestural brushstrokes, which give shape to the face and fur. The predominant colors -reds, ochers, whites and blacks- are superimposed without a precise drawing, which reinforces the expressive character of the image. The dog's gaze, dark and slightly downcast, concentrates the emotional charge and conveys a sense of melancholic calm and closeness.

The work can be placed in a context of contemporary painting, linked to expressionism or neo-expressionism of the twentieth century. In this period, many artists recover figuration, but moving away from realism to explore subjectivity and emotion. The animal ceases to be a simple decorative motif and becomes a means to express moods and establish an empathetic relationship with the viewer.

Historically, this type of painting is related to the evolution of art after the avant-garde, when personal expression and emotional intensity become more important than the faithful representation of reality. The work, as a whole, functions as a psychological portrait, where the dog acts almost as a reflection of human feelings such as loneliness, serenity or introspection.