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Spanish artist Pablo Picasso had many muses throughout his life, but at least one escaped any toxic romantic ties: a sweet dachshund named Lump. Before becoming a famous canine model, Lump belonged to American photojournalist David Douglas Duncan, who visited Picasso at his Cannes villa in 1967.
A Muse in Art and History
According to Duncan, Lump immediately jumped onto Picasso’s lap during their first meeting and decided to stay with the painter for six years. Picasso immortalized this bond on the very first day by painting a portrait of the dachshund directly onto a ceramic dinner plate, while Duncan documented the moment through a series of photographs, as reported by Deutsche Welle: DW.com.
The plate and photos are currently featured in the exhibition titled “The Dachshund. An Icon off the Leash” at the Kunsthalle Bremen, running until March 28, 2027. Lump also appears in Picasso’s interpretation of Diego Velazquez’s masterpiece “Las Meninas,” substituting the original large mastiff with his adopted pet.
With their distinct silhouette featuring long ears, short legs, and extreme length, dachshunds are instantly recognizable. Exhibition curator and art historian Annett Reckert told Deutsche Welle: DW.com that their iconic shape makes them appealing for various uses, from art to advertising. Artists such as Andy Warhol, Otto Dix, David Hockney, Max Liebermann, and Rosemarie Trockel have all utilized the breed as a muse and studio companion.
Origins and Cultural Evolution
Originating in Germany over 300 years ago, dachshunds were bred to hunt and track badgers, foxes, and rabbits. Breed standards were officially set in 1879, and the German Teckel Club was established in 1888. The name derives from “Dachs” for badger and “Hund” for dog, though they are frequently called Dackel or Teckel in Germany, and wiener or sausage dogs in English-speaking regions.
The breed holds a unique place in German cultural history. Germany’s final emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II, kept several dachshunds. Two of them, Wadl and Hexl, sparked a minor diplomatic incident in 1908 while visiting Konopiste Castle, the estate of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, when the dogs killed one of the archduke’s prized golden pheasants. The event drew heavy attention in aristocratic circles and forced Wilhelm II to issue a formal apology.
During World War I, the breed’s popularity in the United States dropped sharply due to its German association, prompting owners to rename them “liberty hounds.” In World War II, dachshunds served military functions like mine detection. However, Reckert noted that the dogs did not align with Nazi aesthetics, as leaders like Adolf Hitler preferred larger, more aggressive dogs like German Shepherds or Dobermans.
From Olympic Mascot to Modern Symbol
In the 1970s, the cheerful domestic companion inspired Waldi, the official mascot for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Designed by Otl Aicher and Elena Schwaiger, the mascot provided a stark contrast to the heavy symbols of the Third Reich by utilizing pastel colors instead of brown or national colors to promote a cheerful and democratic West Germany.
Today, right-wing extremists occasionally attempt to use the dachshund as a subtle nationalist symbol on ties and socks. Conversely, a counter-protest movement called “Dachshunds Against the Right” has also formed.
Reckert’s exhibition focuses primarily on the friendliness and joy associated with the breed, even opening certain halls to small dogs and featuring performances designed for them. She noted that the preparation period brought an unprecedented wave of friendly contributions, including pictures, artworks, and event information sent through the mail.
