Boris O'Klein

Boris O'Klein, born Arthur Boris O'Klein, (Moscow, September 26, 1893-1985 [Boris O'Klein was born in 1893 and died in 1985, according to the Web site for Editions Montaut, publishers of the first O'Klein biography. Numerous other Web sites credit him with the dates 1887-1983, apparently incorrectly.] ), a French artist and cartoonist. An anthropomorphic artist, he is known for his numerous prints and watercolors of dogs getting up to mischief. The prints are generally called "The Naughty Dogs" or "The Dirty Dogs" or "The Dirty Dogs of Paris."

Personal

O'Klein was born in Moscow, Russia. His family emigrated to the Alsace when he was a boy.

After serving on behalf of the French in World War I, he moved to Paris.

Career

O'Klein's period of greatest activity as an artist was during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.

During his lifetime, much of his output appears to have been purchased by tourists on trips to Paris.

Technique

While O'Klein was a prolific artist and produced many watercolors, the greatest part of his output consists of prints, either color lithographs or engravings heightened with hand-painted touches of watercolor.

Many of these prints appear to be have been produced in O'Klein's later years and after his death, and are still likely produced to this day.

Themes

The two main themes of O'Klein's art are (1) public urination; and (2) male-female flirtation or desire. The numerous scenes by O'Klein of dogs lined up against walls or beside trees to urinate are part of what gives the prints their incendiary appeal for some viewers. In other prints, a number of male dogs will follow a female dog with an air of evident interest.

O'Klein in popular culture

Television

In the second episode of season one of the Stephen Fry TV show Kingdom, a print by O'Klein is used as part of the set decor in the living room in the house owned by the character played by Steve Pemberton. The print by O'Klein is one of those which shows a row of anthropomorphic dogs urinating against a wall, giving a window onto the character's psychology and taste in art.

Links

* [http://www.montaut.com/oklein/indexEN.html A book about Boris O'Klein from Editions Montaut]
* [http://www.thedirtydogsofparis.co.uk The Dirty Dogs of Paris, a Web site selling reproductions of a number of O'Klein prints]

References