Looking Back through history, many kings have favored Galgos ands Podencos; and they are also finely represented in numerous paintings. And yet, some of these dogs that we consider »born into nobility » could have been better off not being born at all - often, they are mistreated by their masters for underperforming during hunts. Beaten, abandoned or actually tortured to death, these Iberian greyhounds have been taken in by families, non-profit groups or breeders. Mathias de Lattre started taking photos of these unfortunate animals from Spain and Portugal in 2012. the sad look in their eyes, seemingly a remnant of their past suffering, very quickly made the young photographer think he should take their picture in the environment that destiny had found for them. Found through friends of friends or during walks, it was as if these dogs had become gifted with what we narcissistically call « humanity ». That is what Mathias de Lattre wanted to show in his photos while remaining in the style of portraiture that h prefers. In their new homes, the Galgos ans Podencos become the photographer’s models, ans their story disappears behind their appearance - Doug relaxes in a patterned chair, Lola glows in black and white and Gazhal sits in a winter garden setting. Eschewing the anthropomorphism of fables, circumventing the profusion of the bestiary, these greyhounds from southern Europe show themselves in especial st of portraits, fragile and magnificent. Hervé Le Goff.

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Anna Randal for Art-Sheep

Mathias de Lattre melts our hearts with his photographs, his models and their stories.

Three years ago, the photographer first found out  that some greyhounds were rescued by volunteers in South Europe. These animals suffered horrible tortures in the hands of their masters, as a result to their lack of performance during the hunting season.

The photographer mentions that unfortunately not all the dogs survived the hunting season. After their job was done and their masters found them “unfit for work”, they would either put them down or abandon them.Those who survived the abuse, during and after the hunting season, were adopted and thankfully have recovered from it. After witnessing these dogs suffer and die, he later decided to photograph the glorious survivors and their new lives. Instead of taking photos of starving and murdered dogs, Mathias de Lattre chose to share this beautiful series of dog-portraits in their new homes, as a tribute to all the dogs that have suffered abuse.

via bp

 

Venda

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Doug

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Flamme and Linda

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Gazhal

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Harry and Milka

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Kyra

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Lili

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Lola

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Milo

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Reina

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Armani

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