When you hear the name Chien n°16 then we’re sure you’ll think it’s just another painting of a dog. But this? This is very different. Created by Serbian-born artist Vladimir Velickovic in 1976, Chien n°16 isn’t a picture of a dog; it’s a story. A powerful, raw, and emotional story – one snapshot in time.
So, if you’re curious about the meaning behind this artwork, stick around. We’ll take you on a journey through Velickovic’s world and explain why Chien n°16 is not just a painting but a masterpiece.
Who Was Vladimir Veličković?
Vladimir Veličković was a Serbian painter. Growing up in hard times during war and hardship defined much of his childhood. His art usually contained themes of struggle, survival, and human vulnerability and it is a part of this background.
He didn’t begin as a painter, interestingly. He was a first an architecture puddle and then found that painting was what he loved. In the 1960s, his work started being taken note of for its intense emotions, and equally stylized style.
He went to Paris in 1966 where he joined the Nouvelle Figuration movement. It was an artistic awakening, an art revival, bringing new life and modernity to the figurative. His career in France was one of teaching, and indeed, of the creation of powerful and thought-provoking artworks.
FUN FACT: Vladimir Veličković was an avid dog lover, and his artwork often featured dogs as symbols of loyalty, danger, or existential struggle.
His Career
Veličković’s career revolved around pushing the boundaries. His paintings were a bold, raw, and emotional mess. They took on the darker life, with pain, conflict, and survival.
Veličković’s art was showcased in exhibitions around the world during his entire life. He also taught at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris and won over another generation of artists.
What Is Happening in Chien n°16?
| Artist | Vladimir Velickovic |
| Date Created | 1976 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Genre | Figurative |
| Period | Nouvelle Figuration |
| Dimensions | 100 cm x 81 cm (approx.) |
| Series / Versions | Part of Velickovic’s Chien series |
| Where is it housed? | Private collection (location unknown) |
Chien n°16 is a painting of a dog in mid-movement. This isn’t a playfulness, a dog running in a park. It’s something way more intense.
The dog’s body seems to have that stretched quality, almost like a pulled mitten, pulled apart by some invisible forces. Is it leaping forward? Falling? Fleeing? It isn’t clear whether Velickovic does or doesn’t, and that’s what makes the painting so interesting.
There is no background: it is simply empty, a stark void. That emptiness allows you to focus only on the dog. The animal’s energy is brought to life with sharp lines and dark and light stark contrasts of black and white.
What’s So Special About Chien n°16?
Chien n°16 is cleanly magnetic. It is not just about a dog it is about life. It presents movement, struggle, and emotion all at once.
Velickovic had a gift for making a motion in his art. You hear the dog’s energy, its instinct to live and survive, and its vulnerability all at once. These emotions are what make the painting so powerful.
The simplicity of this painting is another special thing. Bright colors or detailed backgrounds weren’t Velickovic’s style. Rather he kept it simple: just the dog and its movement.
Why Chien n°16 Stands the Test of Time?
Chien n°16 is such a timeless piece because it can be spoken to all. Whether you’re an art expert or a beginner, this piece delivers something for you.
It’s a moment that feels universal: the longing to survive, the need to move, the pull between freedom and fear. Velickovic’s skill as an artist surely makes you feel that moment, almost as if you’re living it.
If you ever get a chance to see Chien n°16 or any of Velickovic’s other works, take it. His art will make you stop, think, and feel—and isn’t that what great art is all about?
Interesting Facts About Chien n°16
Inspired by Motion Studies: Velickovic was fascinated by movement. His inspiration for this painting came from stop-motion photography, which studies how animals move.
A Lesson in Anatomy: Velickovic had a deep understanding of how bodies work. The muscles and motion in the dog’s body feel real, almost scientific.
Part of a Series: Chien n°16 is part of a series of paintings by Velickovic that focus on dogs. Each one uniquely explores movement and energy.
Artwork Spotlight: Fig. 9B
Fig. 9B by Vladimir Veličković is available on Singulart. This artwork showcases his signature focus on anatomy and movement. It’s a striking exploration of tension, where every detail feels alive and deliberate.
Are you looking for a piece of artwork from Vladimir Veličković?
Singulart has limited edition prints of Vladimir Veličković. If you are looking for a piece of Veličković’s artwork for sale, simply click on the artwork or the button below to discover more!
FAQs
1. What inspired Vladimir Veličković’s art?
Veličković’s childhood in post-war Serbia has deeply influenced his art. His works often contain themes of struggle, conflict, and survival. His fascination with anatomy and the human condition also played a major part in determining his style.
2. What makes Vladimir Veličković’s art unique?
Veličković’s art is starkly real, but also dramatic. He is talented enough to capture the stunning beauty of the same human form but in different moments of tension, pain, and chaos.
Conclusion
Chien n°16 is more than a dog painting. It’s looking at life in motion and tension and vulnerability paused. What shows in Velickovic’s success is his ability to capture this raw emotion and movement in just one frame.
So, whether you’re a seasoned art lover or just dipping your toes into the world of figurative painting, Chien n°16 is a piece worth knowing. It’s a reminder that even in stillness, there’s motion—and even in simplicity, there’s depth.
