Germany Exhibition Celebrates the Dachshund in Art Featuring Picasso and Warhol
The Kunsthalle Bremen in Germany opened “The Dachshund: An Icon off the Leash” on Saturday, marking what museum director Christoph Grunenberg believes is the world’s first art exhibition dedicated to the dachshund rather than dogs in general.
Works from Picasso, Warhol and Hockney
The exhibition brings together paintings, drawings, photography, video, and stuffed toy collectibles featuring the compact breed. Major artists including Pablo Picasso, David Hockney, and Andy Warhol are featured in the show, capturing how the canine shape inspired diverse creative styles across generations.
German artist Thorsten Brinkmann contributed a bronze sculpture featuring a handbag on dachshund legs alongside an installation titled “Toxie Love.” Brinkmann noted the surreal physical proportions of the breed, pointing to its elongated body and short legs as natural artistic subjects. The show also incorporates loans from the Dachshund Museum in Regensburg.
Allowing Dogs Inside Selected Rooms
Visitors attending on Thursdays and Saturdays can bring their own small dogs into three of the museum’s eight rooms. Participating animals must measure a maximum shoulder height of 30 centimeters, roughly one foot, and owners must secure online time-slot tickets in advance.
Museum director Christoph Grunenberg stated that the institution aims to treat visiting dogs as distinct personalities, providing a dachshund lounge and viewing areas where pets can watch videos or look out windows. Finnish photographer Elina Brotherus attended the opening with her 13-year-old dachshund, Marcello, who has served as her primary photographic model since 2013.
Bremen Exhibition Draws International Dachshund Material
While the breed maintains deep historical ties to Germany, including ownership by Kaiser Wilhelm II, and counts British monarch Queen Victoria among its historical enthusiasts, the Bremen exhibition sources material internationally from cities including Edinburgh, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh.
Bremen resident Kelsey Crossman explored the preview with her dachshund, Leonidas, noting the distinct personality traits that draw owners to the breed. Crossman highlighted the independent attitude and portable size of the dogs, while acknowledging the challenge of keeping her pet away from the extensive collection of toy displays.
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