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by J. D. Powe (Author), Zach Ishmael (Photographer)
Discover the strange and disturbingly beautiful world of taxidermy through a unique collection of stuffed dogs, bringing a new sense to what it means to be man's best friend, forever
Marble eyes and satin bows, furry paws on velvet pillows--explore the whimsical world of Victorian pet taxidermy through the extraordinary collection of J.D Powe in Best Friends Forever. Once much loved, these furry friends were immortalized, outliving their owners, and are now symbols of love, grief, and our complex relationship with the animal kingdom.
Discover hundreds of dogs--and a few catsf--rom the past, now preserved as cherished reminders of lost furry friends in this large and colorful compilation of exquisite photographs by Zach Ishmael that bring life back to these familiar friends.
If you're looking for a gift book, this is a wonderfully unique pick for dog lovers who also enjoy dark Victorian curiosities, history, or oddball art and photography. It's especially perfect for the person with a cabinet of curiosities, a gothic streak, or an interest in how humans memorialize their pets.
Author Biography
J.D. Powe is a technology entrepreneur, scholar, and passionate collector of natural history and antique taxidermy. A graduate of Harvard University, Powe has cultivated one of the world's most extensive private collections of unique and historically important specimens, with a focus on the Victorian era's complex relationship with animal preservation.
His collection spans a wide range of genres, including the renowned anthropomorphic taxidermy popularized by masters like Walter Potter, as well as historically significant extinct species. Powe has lent his specimens to support educational and public exhibits, including programs at the Morbid Anatomy Museum and the Adirondack Experience. Best Friends Forever is his first book dedicated to the captivating, sometimes disturbing, art of antique pet taxidermy, showcasing his deep knowledge of its history and cultural significance.
Zach Ishmael is an acclaimed photographer known for his stylized, high-contrast portraiture and his ability to capture the unique character and mood of his subjects.
For Best Friends Forever, Ishmael used his artistic eye to transform the static, preserved dogs into compelling, lifelike portraits. His evocative photography emphasizes the unsettling beauty and historical context of the Victorian taxidermy, giving a fresh, contemporary vision to this niche, antique art form. His work for this book captures both the meticulous craft of the taxidermists and the enduring, if strange, legacy of human devotion to their canine companions.
