Cats & Dogs explores humanity’s deep connection to these animals through more than 250 works of art and design, from cattle dogs to lap dogs, divine felines to the black cats of superstition.

Drawn from the NGV Collection and spanning all periods and media, this exhibition reveals how our domesticated companions have long been a rich source of visual imagery – from ancient history to the present day.

The exhibition features works by contemporary and historical artists including Rembrandt van Rijn, Francisco de Goya, Pierre Bonnard, Eileen Mayo, David Hockney, Jeff Koons, Hulda Guzmán and more alongside celebrated Australian artists, including Claudia Moodoonuthi, Trevor Turbo Brown, Atong Atem, Charles Blackman, Grace Cossington Smith and Nora Heysen.

Presented thematically, the exhibition unpacks particular behaviours, cultural symbolism and art-historical motifs. These include: working dogs and cats; mythology; religion and spirituality; and cats and dogs in popular culture.