The Henry B. Plant Museum is pleased to announce a new exhibit, "Dogs in Art." This exhibit brings together paintings, sculptures, textiles, decorative arts and more from the late 19th and early 20th centuries featuring man’s best friend. The artworks are lent by a variety of museums including: the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg; the Appleton Museum of Art of College of Central Florida; The Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Beach; the Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts; the Lightner Museum and private collectors. Pieces include works by noted dog painter George Earl, sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye, Royal Doulton pottery and other renowned German, British, French, Belgian and Dutch artists. Among the variety of works on display will be one of the most famous 19th century dogs, Dash, Queen Victoria’s favorite pet. Victorian era artwork featured dogs in many different roles. This fascinating exhibit showcases sporting dogs, working dogs, dogs at play, pets and in domestic settings. Explore artwork showcasing a variety of breeds such as King Charles Spaniels, Whippets, Maltese, Dalmatians, Terriers and Pomeranians. Paintings from this era were meant to highlight breed standards as well as illustrating beloved companions. This exhibit is inspired by the presence of hunting dogs at the Tampa Bay Hotel and the many dogs that appear in the Hotel’s decorative arts. The core of the exhibit is drawn from the Henry B. Plant Museum’s permanent collection. Decorative objects purchased by Henry Plant to furnish his opulent railroad resort provided guests with an atmosphere of art and culture. In particular, the sculpture Au Coup de Fusil is highlighted at the Museum entrance and was the first piece of public art in Tampa. It is cast iron with a bronze patina by artist Eglantine Lemaitre in 1890. "Dogs in Art" opens on March 18 and runs through Dec. 23, 2016. Entrance to the exhibit is included with admission to the museum. Please join us on March 18 at 7 p.m. for a lecture by William Secord, world authority on nineteenth century dog paintings. Secord was the founding director of The Dog Museum of America and is the author of several books. The lecture is free and open to the public. This exhibit has been graciously underwritten by The Beck Group, Greenberg Traurig, P.A., The Henry B. Plant Museum Society, David Harvey Electric Co., the Knox Family Foundation and The New Barker magazine.