Dog-Turtle

Alebrije, Mexican paper-mâché sculpture — Felipe Linares

Description

This piece merges the vibrancy of a dog with the defensive armor of a reptile, rendered in a chromatic explosion of greens, golds, and coppery hues that cover the entire figure in a nimble, advancing posture.

The head, with an elongated snout and erect pointed ears—one of which has a deep red interior—features a large eye with a yellow iris and green speckles, and an alert, curious expression. The facial skin is resolved with a sinuous pattern of green and yellow lines that snake like water veins, dotted with golden spots, while a dark snout with fine whiskers and a pink tongue peeking between the lips complete the animal's half-open, lively gesture. The coloration of the head—lime green, yellow, and turquoise—evokes lizard or tree frog species.

The back, just behind the neck, is crowned with a crest of conical spikes with a coppery and golden finish that runs along the spine, evoking both the crests of a dragon and the bony plates of a crocodile or dinosaur; these spikes continue to decrease in size until they merge with the base of the tail.

The body, with a well-muscled torso and hind legs in a striding posture, is covered in a dense tapestry of white and black oval spots on a forest green background—a pattern that evokes both the fur of a jaguar and the mottled shell of a turtle—while a section of the flank instead features a textured pattern of small beads in purple, green, and gold tones, adding a tactile and decorative variation highly characteristic of the virtuosity of fine paper-mâché. The legs end in well-defined light claws, and a short, curved tail, with the same mottled treatment, curls towards the body.

The result is a creature that combines the energy and expressiveness of a canid with the armored protection of a reptile—a synthesis that reaffirms, once again, the nature of the alebrije as a zoomorphic dream made manifest.

PROVENANCE AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Alebrije with Shell is one of the most recent medium-sized alebrijes made by Felipe Linares, son of Don Pedro Linares, and one of the most prolific within the family. Don Felipe has held the most exhibitions outside the country, bringing alebrijes to their recognized worldwide fame.

MEASUREMENTS

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CARE

To preserve the beauty and integrity of this piece, we recommend handling it with care. As it is a paper-mâché artwork, avoid contact with water or moisture—it should never be washed; clean it only with a soft duster or a dry cloth, without rubbing. Keep it away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent pigment discoloration, and store it in a stable, dry, and moisture-free environment. When moving it, always hold it by its base or main body, avoiding pressure on horns, whiskers, claws, or other delicate and protruding elements.

DESIGN

The Linares family's commitment to excellence goes beyond materials; it encompasses the art and craftsmanship present in every piece we create.