Veronicaby Jacques Blanchard (1633 1634)This post may contain affiliate links.
If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission.
kindly readour disclosurefor more info.
Recreating“St. Veronica”by Jacques Blanchard (1633 – 1634)This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please readour disclosurefor more info.
In the spring of 2020, a creative challenge began to take over the internet.
(It came at a time when much of the world was in lockdown due to COVID-19.)
ArtistEliza Reinhardttook part in the challenge with the help of her pup Finn… and they never stopped.
Recreating“American Gothic”by Grant Wood (1930)
For nearly a year, the duo has been recreating famous artworks each day and the results are magnificent.
Finn plays an integral part in each photo.
In the piece titledGian Lodovico Madruzzo, for instance, the role of the human and dog is swapped.
Recreating“Lady with a Dog”by Mather Brown (1786)
We spoke with Reinhardt about the logistics of working with a dog and creatingsometimes very complexcompositions each day.
Scroll down for her exclusive interview with My Modern Met.
RecreatingAmerican Gothicby Grant Wood (1930)
What was your creative background prior to recreating famous artworks?
Recreating“The Starry Night”by Vincentvan Gogh(1889)
I graduated from the University of Iowa with a BFA in painting in 2018.
Painting is my first love, and I still paint almost daily!
In college, I tried everything I could think of but nothing sparked my interest.
Recreating“Mural”by Jackson Pollock (1943)
I took a drawing class and have been hooked ever since.
RecreatingLady with a Dogby Mather Brown (1786)
What was your first recreation?
(I had to go waaaaay back in my phone to find this, ha.)
“The Scream”by Edvard Munch (1893)
In the beginning, it didnt occur to me to be funny about it…
I took it VERY literally.
RecreatingThe Starry Nightby Vincentvan Gogh(1889)
How has your process changed since then?
“Lobster Telephone”by Salvador Dalí, (1938)
Lady with a Dogis so simple.
That didnt last long as I started to question it…why cant Finn be a person?
He can be anything!
“Mask of Fear”by Paul Klee (1932)
They slowly got more and more complex.
I started painting backgrounds or making props out of cardboard.
I moved to Texas in August and having a larger space really allowed the works to grow.
“Joos van der Burch and Saint Simon of Jerusalem”by Gerard David (1488 – 1498)
RecreatingMuralby Jackson Pollock (1943)
Tell us about working with your pup.
How do you get Finn to do so many poses and wear so many costumes?
Finn is a superstar!
“Gian Lodovico Madruzzo”by Giovanni Battista Moroni (1551/52)
Hes a 3-year-old Australian Shepherd and avelcro dog.
Hes a working breed, so he has 110% taken these daily photos as his job.
He will work so hard and take a stab at do absolutely anything I ask.
Recreating “Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird” byFrida Kahlo(1940)
Being an Aussie, he comes with a lot of anxiety.
So the costumes he absolutely adores.
As for poses… he is such a trooper.
Recreating “Salome with the Head of John the Baptist” by Guido Reni (1638)
He will sit on my studio painter’s stool or on a skinny piano bench.
Once I say, Okay!
After all, I never know when Ill need a cardboard sword again!
Recreating“The Shepherd David”by Elizabeth Jane Gardner (1895)
If I dont have it, Ill figure out a way to make it.
Do you have someone who helps you?
Lobster Telephoneby Salvador Dali, (1938)
How far in advance do you plan a recreation?
I dont really do any planning ahead of time.
I pick the photo at around 7 am the day we post it.
Therefore, I did the first layer the night before so that it had time to dry overnight.
Thats about the most planning Ive done.
I really enjoy the challenge of needing to figure things out while in the moment.
Ive been told the photos are like gesture drawings which I just loveit feels that way to me.
Has reproducing so many artworks opened you up to new genres of art?
Every day, I get to explore gorgeous collections and books of artworks from all over the world.
Ive come to realize how much art is out there.
Personally, I have discovered so many new artists whose work I absolutely adore.
I made anEtsy shopthis past year where I sell items featuring our recreations.
Gian Lodovico Madruzzoby Giovanni Battista Moroni (1551/52)
Do you have any other creative endeavors on the horizon?
The enthusiasm that I have received with the project and our products has been overwhelming.
They might not feel qualified or comfortable to engage in a discussion about it.
Bringing Finn into the picture quite literally, makes the painting more approachable, accessible, and less intimidating.
It would be fantastic if I could share this knowledge through museum programs, for example!
so that I might continue to bring love and appreciation of art to everyone.
