Art historians have suggested that Picasso had but five passions: His art, his ego, his image, his women, and his dogs.

In that order.

The fiery artist had many breeds throughout his life, including a Boxer named “Jan,” various Poodles and terriers, three Afghan Hounds, a Dachshund, and a German Shepherd Dog. Many of them found their way onto his canvases, as seen here where “Kabul,” his Afghan Hound, appeared with Jacqueline, one of Picasso’s two wives.

Of Kabul he said, “…Right now I have an Afghan Hound named Kabul. He is elegant, with graceful proportions, and I love the way he moves. I put a representation of his head on a statue that I created for Daley Plaza in Chicago and I do think of him sometimes while I am in my studio.

“Often, if he comes into my mind when I am working, it alters what I do. The nose on the face I am drawing gets longer and sharper. The hair of the woman I am sketching gets longer and fluffy, resting against her cheeks like his ears rest against his head. Yes, if I have a favourite, for now at least, it is my Afghan Hound, Kabul.”

Picasso had two other Afghan Hounds in his lifetime,  “Jasbeck” and “Sauterelle,” and painted at least three images of Jacqueline with an Afghan Hound.

Image: “Woman with Dog Under a Tree” by Pablo Picasso