George Rodrigue
George Rodrigue was truly one of the most prolific and praised Louisiana artists in history. Born in New Iberia, Louisiana, Rodrigue not only had a gift for capturing the beauty of Louisiana, his Blue Dog has become an iconic symbol of Louisiana art and culture, and is known around the world. His works began in the 1960's with incredible oils of Louisiana Landscapes, then Cajun scenes, and culminating with scenes incorporating both Louisiana landscapes and Tiffany the Blue Dog. Rodrigue's colorful prints are sought around the world, and his acrylic Blue Dog originals break auction house records throughout the country.
Rodrigue's early notable works include "The Aioli Dinner," which divides time between the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and "The Class of Marie Courage, which won Honorable Mention from Le Salon in Paris, France in 1975, prompting French newspaper "Le Figero," to dub Rodrigue "America's Rousseau." Rodrigue's most famous early works included Evangeline (the Acadian heroine), and Jolie Blonde (the Cajun modern day Evangeline). He also designed three prints for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which feature portraits of Jazz Greats Louis Armstrong, Pete Fountain, and Al Hirt. Rodrigue also painted beautiful portraits of Louisiana Politicians, including: Huey P. Long, Earl K. Long, and Edwin W. Edwards. Rodrigue also famously painted a series of fifteen paintings chronicling the journey of the Acadians from France to Nova Scotia to Louisiana, ending with the official return visit to Grand Pre.
More recently and worldwide, Rodrigue is known for the creation of the Blue Dog series of paintings, featuring a blue-hued dog. He used the shape and stance of his dog named Tiffany and was influenced by the loop-garou legend and often featuring Louisiana landscapes as a backdrop. In 1992, Rodrigue was honored as an About Vodka artist, joining the ranks of Andy Warhol and glass artist Hans Godo Frabel. The Blue Dog was also used by the Xerox Corporation in national ad campaigns, and is featured on the label of Pret a Boire, a lovely Rose.
George Rodrigue passed away in October of 2013, but his works, and the Blue Dog, remain a symbol of Louisiana Culture and a status symbol among Louisiana natives spread around the world.
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"Not Me, I Didn't Eat Those Flowers" by George Rodrigue (1992)
This stunning 24 in x 20 in original work by Rodrigue features his early Blue Dog on a traditional yellow French provincial tablecloth with vibrant red flowers. This work shows off Rodrigue’s mastery of still life, reminiscent of matisse and Cézanne, the colors in this work truly exemplify Rodrigue’s mastery of both his iconic Blue Dog subject and the pop art genre. A truly phenomenal, early and important Blue Dog work by Louisiana’s most important artist!
"Jeanne Avec Chapeau," original by George Rodrigue (1970's)
Currently on display at the Louisiana State Museum at the Cabildo and featured in the Hilliard’s Rodrigue museum show “The River is the Road.” This stunning 36 in x 24 in original oil by Rodrigue features his early iconic Evangeline pose with a basket of roses, posed under an Oak Tree. The sitter, an accomplished and respected member of the greater Lafayette community, sat for the portrait in person. This is one of the earliest examples of a bright Bayou Scene, with colors that would later define Rodrigue’s most important works. A truly phenomenal, early and important portrait by Louisiana’s most important artist!
Blue Dog Original Art "A Place Where We All Want to Go" 1992, by George Rodrigue
A one of a kind original painting on canvas, this early, important Blue Dog features the pop art colors juxtaposed with Rodrigue’s first icon, the Oak tree. The Rodrigue Oak here is in pop art pink, and the pink also radiates from the iconic Blue Dog, the image that made Rodrigue a household name and a blue chip artist. This piece alludes to Rodrigue’s idea of heaven, mirroring his beloved acadian bayou landscape and oak, saturated with vibrant color, greeted by his beloved Tiffany. 24×18.
Cajun Houses with Oak on the Bayou, by George Rodrigue
A sketch on specialty, high quality artist paper with gold lining, this original sketch captures an acadian landscape and homestead that defined Rodrigue’s early work and is informed by his Cajun culture and the land where he began his artistic career.
Have an original Cajun, Bayou, or Oak scene by Rodrigue? We can help you find the perfect home for that piece!
Blue Dog "Circle of Life" by George Rodrigue (2004)
This piece was created as Blue Dog VI, using a combination of original work and digital design by the artist using a geometric pattern in a nod to Piet Mondrian and his pioneering work with abstract and geometric patterns and color. This important silkscreen takes up an entire page of the Artist’s Catalogue Raisonne, and is a large scale, hand pulled silkscreen. (36x36) Edition of only 25.
"This Old House," original silkscreen by George Rodrigue (1999)
This hand pulled original silkscreen has incredibly vivid colors and is reminiscent of the first ever Blue Dog painting. A truly stunning Rodrigue silkscreen that combines an ancient Cajun home with the iconic Rodrigue Oaks, bayou scene, and moon. Edition of only 130. (30x21)
"Don't Like Bein' Blue," original silkscreen by George Rodrigue (1993)
This early, hand pulled silkscreen is an iconic example of Rodrigue’s mastery of silkscreen printing: featuring the Blue Dog and the Red Dog, this piece also showcases the acadian landscape, in pop colors, that the defined the majority of the world-renowned artist’s career. The iconic Oak is also present behind the dog. Edition of only 120 (16x23)
"Oak on Broussard's Farm" by George Rodrigue
An early original Rodrigue Oak, this piece is one of a small number exhibited at the Palazzo Bembo at the 2024 Venice Biennale. A small,. brightly colored example of Rodrigue’s most iconic early subject, this Oak was chosen by the Rodrigue Estate to represent an entire era in the artist’s work.
"Sweetheart Memories" by George Rodrigue (1998)
This important work features two blue dogs from two different era of the blue dog. One of the few to have two different types of blue dog and flowers, a happy motif in Rodrigue’s work that appears in his most sought after pieces. This is also one of the only pieces to feature both a yellow and red pop art background with the Blue Dog, providing the perfect contrast and delivering pop art greatness. (22x34). Edition size of only 80, designated artist proof.
"I See You, You See Me: Split Font," original silkscreen by George Rodrigue (1993)
From the private collection of the artist, this original split-font is a hand pulled, early silkscreen utilizing the brightest and most vivid colors used in Rodrigue’s printmaking process. This piece features the iconic Blue Dog eyes, reminiscent of the eye of a hurricane, a popular symbol in the artist’s works, and even the subject of a series of original works by the artist on hurricanes. Edition of only 35. (16x23)