In 1989 I received a commission from a renowned German fashion house and department store Loden Frey, a luxury German store that gave me the freedom to capture a more unexpected side of the city. They wanted me to capture the essence of New York City, but not just its iconic landmarks. They were looking for something edgier. The head of their fashion, a woman with impeccable taste, collaborated with me to create scenarios that showcased New York's grittier side.

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Our first location was the meatpacking district, which at the time was still a bustling hub of industrial activity. We juxtaposed a beautiful dress against the rugged, raw backdrop of the meatpacking warehouses. Just as we were about to shoot, it started raining. That’s when I spotted a woman walking a bulldog, and I asked if we could use her dog in the shot. The result was a spontaneous, unforgettable image.

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What made the image work for me was the contrast, a woman dressed for the evening walking her bulldog through the wet, gritty streets of downtown Manhattan. It had edge, attitude, and a very New York kind of elegance. Like many of my commercial assignments, it grew out of the mood and sensibility of my fine art work, which is probably why the image later found a life beyond advertising as a gallery print. 

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Shortly afterward, a marketing director for Kraft Foods was inspired by "Walking the Dog" and commissioned Robert to replicate the image for an advertisement for Frusen Glädjé Ice Cream (tear sheet above).

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Years later, "Walking the Dog" was very successful in museum and gallery exhibitions with sold out editions, which we are not making available to new collectors as a Fine Art Poster.

Walking the Dog is available as a Fine Art Poster