Albert C. Barnes and Fidèle

Albert C. Barnes and Fidèle

Reader Janet Burt, also an accomplished dog artist, sent me one of the best tips I've ever received.  She told me about  the documentary she'd recently watched called "The Art of the Steal" by Don Argott.  The film follows the battle to move the private art collection of Albert C. Barnes from the suburban setting stipulated in his will as the collection's permanent home, to a new art museum in downtown Philadelphia, less than five miles away. 

What makes this fascinating from a dog art perspective is not the collection itself, which includes 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes, 59 Matisses and 46 Picassos, and is considered one of the most important private collections in the world, but that Barnes's dog, Fidèle, played a pivitol role in guarding and maintaining the collection.  As Janet wrote in her email, "Barnes hated the art establishment because they had criticized his collection before Impressionist art came into vogue, and later would frequently have Fidele 'sign'  letters rejecting requests from art critics to be allowed to view the collection."  Fidèle also corrosponded with the architects responsible for renovating the Barnes's Chester County farmhouse named Ker Feal (Breton for "house of Fidèle" ) that would become the new gallery for the decorative arts and furniture collection.  Here is one of those letters signed by Fidèle.  Note Fidèle's image embossed at the top and the ink-dipped pawprint at the bottom…

via the Barnes Foundation

Albert C. Barnes, his wife Laura Barnes, and Fidèle at Ker Feal via India-Karnataka

Interior of the Barnes Foundation

The courts have decided to allow the Barnes collection to be moved to downtown Philadelphia in 2012. Contact the Barnes Foundation to make a reservation to see it in its intended venue before it is dismantled forever.

Here is the trailer for "The Art of the Steal".  It's available on DVD.

Thank you, Janet Burt, for this amazing tip. It's my kind of story; how one dog-obsessed man changed the world of art with the help of his faithful friend.

Visit Janet's website Rainbowdog Pet Portraits to see her work.