Francesco Pergolesi: Beware of the Dog

Francesco Pergolesi: Beware of the Dog May 1 — July 31, 2023

Beware of the Dog

From Pompei to the present day, the relationship between man and the "canis lupus familiaris" has radically changed. By making each other useful, men and dogs have a parallel evolution. The dog, once an indispensable companion for hunting, has become a faithful inseparable friend, passing from the cold kennel in the courtyard to the comfortable sofa next to the fireplace. The photographic works in the Cave Canem series are the result of a long creative process that connects the traditional genre painting with the places and dynamics of contemporary daily life. Dogs are the protagonists in the scene, appropriating the domestic spaces of their owners.

Francesco Pergolesi [b. 1975, Venice, Italy] creates photographic works inspired by the people and places from his past that are slowly disappearing: the watchmaker fixing old time pieces; the frame shop where hand-milled frames line the walls; the local cobbler whose walls are covered with leather hides; the sound of a hammer coming from the open door of a shoemaker; the smell of fresh bread from a baker; the steady beat of a sewing machine from an open window; or the smell of old paper in a used bookstore. Working in collaboration with shopkeepers, Pergolesi presents narratives that honor the past while preserving the present. As he says:

“When I was a child, I used to walk free, exploring my village streets. I loved to spend time in the little cobbler or the grocery where my grandmother sent me to shop. Time seemed to be extended and gave me a sense of freedom. I grew up loving neighborhoods where human relationships were the center of life. I understood these places were disappearing, pushed by a mysterious force, and a new era was coming.”

Whether working with people or their dogs, Pergolesi sees himself as a guardian of a vanishing world where people congregated to talk about families and daily activities. Every photograph becomes a new theater set as he continues to wander the streets looking for a connection.

All images are available as 7 x 10" and 32 x 40" pigment prints (sizes vary) made in an edition of 7 and 3 + 1AP, respectively. Pieces range in price from $2800 - $8000, depending on size and availability.