A captivating photography exhibition at the Espace culturel Leclerc du Parvis in Pau showcases two masterful artists who have dedicated their careers to exploring the unique relationship between dogs and humans. The exhibition, titled "Des chiens et des hommes" (Of Dogs and Men), features the work of American photographer William Wegman and Michel Vanden Eeckhoudt, co-founder of the VU agency, running from June 19 to November 15, 2025.
If dogs are truly man's best friend, they have also proven to be exceptional subjects for photographers. Wegman has built his career around his magnificent Weimaraners, creating carefully staged studio photographs that showcase his dogs as willing and consenting models. In contrast, Vanden Eeckhoudt captures dogs in their natural state, photographing them as they engage in various animal activities and interact with their human companions. Despite their different approaches, both artists share a common thread of tenderness, humor, and irony that they weave into their exploration of the human-animal relationship.
The exhibition presents two dramatically different photographic styles addressing the same beloved subject. Wegman's work features studio photographs with a distinctive aesthetic of color images, while Vanden Eeckhoudt offers snapshots and slices of life captured in black and white. Yet both photographers establish the same fundamental dialogue between animal and human, where the faithful companion transcends the role of mere pet to become a partner that can caricature humans and reveal their behaviors and failings, creating metaphorical versions of each other.
Marc Bélit, the venue's programmer, provides insight into Wegman's unique approach: "Wegman's dog is the animal-partner in an artistic approach that includes him. From then on, the complexity of this relationship will continue to deepen, to the point where we come to suppose that the dog has integrated the creative dimension, as if his desire to play with the master made him perfectly aware of the interest of the enterprise, thus creating an unexpected and challenging situation." This sophisticated partnership suggests that Wegman's Weimaraners have become active participants in the creative process.
Vanden Eeckhoudt's journey into canine photography began through his particular fascination with zoos, where he encountered animals in their entirety as a Leica photographer. His series focusing on dogs emerged later in a more informal manner during his travels and walks. The photographer has stated that "it was through the dog that he could best photograph the owner," revealing his belief that dogs serve as windows into their human companions' souls.
The Belgian photographer's approach is deliberately indirect and observational. He has explained that he does not seek to confront the animal directly, but rather captures them from angles and in situations that make people smile or find amusing. "But there is always a lot of tenderness in his critical eye," notes the exhibition description. Vanden Eeckhoudt believes that "by making people smile, we make them think," using humor as a vehicle for deeper reflection on the human-animal bond.
The exhibition explores the profound connection between humans and dogs that dates back to the earliest days of human civilization. A disturbing yet familiar humanity emanates from the dogs in both photographers' work, reinforcing the obvious complicity that has existed since the time of homo sapiens. Dogs were indeed the first animals to be domesticated by humans, with both species being hunters who formed a partnership where one domesticated the other to aid in their shared tasks.
The values of sociability, fidelity, and loyalty that humans project within themselves are the fruits of this long history and solid companionship between the two species. Through their lenses, both Wegman and Vanden Eeckhoudt reveal how dogs serve not only as companions but as mirrors reflecting human nature, behavior, and emotion in ways that are both entertaining and profoundly moving.
The exhibition is being held at the Parvis, Espace culturel Leclerc in Pau, France, with free admission for all visitors. Additional information about the exhibition can be found at https://www.leparvispau.com/encemoment. The show represents a unique opportunity to see how two accomplished photographers from different backgrounds and styles can illuminate the same subject through entirely different yet equally compelling artistic visions.
