In the 1990s, as the Blue Dog became the major subject of George Rodrigue’s art, television networks took note and asked the artist to appear on their shows. In these appearances, Rodrigue would often stage a painting demonstration in addition to discussing the origins of his work. These appearances on morning and late-night shows exposed Rodrigue’s work to a larger, national audience and helped popularize the Blue Dog.

In some instances, Rodrigue formed lasting friendships with the network executives who produced these shows. This work, Gallery Edition II: Untitled S Series, comes from the collection of one of those friends, a former NBC executive producer. This mixed-media work is based on the print Gallery Edition II, which features the Blue Dog, Rodrigue’s signature, and the address of Rodrigue’s former New Orleans Gallery. Rodrigue embellished the work by adding a tie, a pocket square with pens, and glasses to the dog. He personalized the work by signing the mixed media to his friend in the lower left corner and adding his job title beneath the dog. This rare work captures a moment in time when Rodrigue’s Blue Dog began its ascent in popular culture.