THE ANIMAL WORLD:
WORKS FROM THE COLLECTION OF DOUGLAS COHN, DVM
An assembly of over 120 pieces spanning 3,000 years.
THE ANIMAL WORLD:
An assembly of over 120 pieces spanning 3,000 years.
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April 25 - June 13, 2025 Reception: April 25, 6:00 - 8:00 PM Collector's Talk: June 1, 3:00 PM 182 River St. Troy NY 12180 |
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Douglas Cohn, DVM: A Special Exhibition Showcasing Animals in Art, a remarkable exhibition exploring the representation of animals in art throughout history. On view from April 25 to June 13, this extraordinary collection, on loan from art collector and veterinarian Dr. Douglas Cohn, offers a rare glimpse into the artistic legacy of animals spanning back three millennia.
With more than 120 pieces on display, the exhibition features an astonishing range of works, from ancient Egyptian artifacts dating back 3,000 years to masterful 17th century paintings and sculptures. The collection also highlights pieces from beloved illustrators such as Arthur Rackham and Maurice Sendak, showcasing the enduring fascination with animals in artistic expression.
Dr. Cohn’s passion for art collecting spans over 30 years, resulting in a diverse and captivating selection of works that celebrate the beauty, power, and symbolism of animals across cultures and time periods.
We are thrilled to share Dr. Cohn’s extraordinary collection. This exhibition not only showcases artistic mastery but also deepens our appreciation for the role of animals in human history, mythology, and storytelling.
The Animal World of Doug Cohn, DVM is a must-see for art lovers, history enthusiasts, and animal admirers alike. An opening reception will be held on Friday April 25 from 6-8pm. Be sure not to miss the Collector’s Talk with Mr. Cohn on Sunday June 1st at 3pm. This event is free and open to the public.
With more than 120 pieces on display, the exhibition features an astonishing range of works, from ancient Egyptian artifacts dating back 3,000 years to masterful 17th century paintings and sculptures. The collection also highlights pieces from beloved illustrators such as Arthur Rackham and Maurice Sendak, showcasing the enduring fascination with animals in artistic expression.
Dr. Cohn’s passion for art collecting spans over 30 years, resulting in a diverse and captivating selection of works that celebrate the beauty, power, and symbolism of animals across cultures and time periods.
We are thrilled to share Dr. Cohn’s extraordinary collection. This exhibition not only showcases artistic mastery but also deepens our appreciation for the role of animals in human history, mythology, and storytelling.
The Animal World of Doug Cohn, DVM is a must-see for art lovers, history enthusiasts, and animal admirers alike. An opening reception will be held on Friday April 25 from 6-8pm. Be sure not to miss the Collector’s Talk with Mr. Cohn on Sunday June 1st at 3pm. This event is free and open to the public.
A note from the collector...
My passion for animals traces back to childhood. Growing up in Long Island, we had fish, frogs, turtles, parakeets, hamsters, and a wonderful Irish setter named Kelly as pets.As a child, I loved drawing animals and adored reading books
about them. Among my favorites were The Cat in the Hat series, Where the Wild Things Are, Charlotte’s Web, Born Free, and The Wind in the Willows. But the Doctor Doolittle series and the 1967 movie based on these books inspired me to pursue veterinary medicine as a career. I wanted to be John Dolittle, dealing with a Noah’s Ark variety of animals. My actual pathway did not quite mirror that dream, but it had many congruencies. Like Dr. Dolittle, I have shared my home for most of my adult life with a member of the parrot family, which in my case is an Umbrella Cockatoo. In my career I have been blessed to have counted mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, dogs, cats, ferrets, sheep, goats, and pigs as my patients. But it was the nine years I spent as the Clinical Veterinarian at an upstate laboratory at New York University that were special because I cared for a colony of two hundred chimpanzees and several hundred monkeys of 8 different species. They are extraordinary creatures because they are close to humans.
Aside from animals, I have always held an interest in art. However, it was not until I moved to Albany in 1997 that my true passion for art developed. It started with a visit to the Albany Institute of History and Art (AIHA), and I was bowled over by the collection of Hudson River School (HRS) paintings. Wanting a more concrete involvement with that museum, I signed up for a two-week docent training program, taking a cue from my brother, who had been a docent at a museum in Philadelphia. I loved (and still love) giving tours to the public of the permanent collection and the temporary exhibitions. As I began to learn more about the HRS, I decided to venture into the world of art auctions. I gradually developed a small collection of HRS paintings. From there I broadened my horizons beyond the HRS: art of the Capital Region and the Hudson Valley including sculpture, drawings, prints, silver and folk art. My intention was (and is)
to eventually donate this collection to the AIHA. About 10 years ago, I had an epiphany. With a 40
plus-year career in veterinary medicine, I realized that what I knew best were animals. So, I shifted the focus of my collection to animal art, of all nations and all centuries. Not surprisingly there are pieces depicting parrots and non-human primates, but also of other exotic animals like wild cats, hyenas, and rhinos. I am thrilled to share a portion of my collection with the public at Jon Gernon's gallery. I hope that it will inspire discussion about our relationship with the animal world.
- Douglas Cohn, DVM
My passion for animals traces back to childhood. Growing up in Long Island, we had fish, frogs, turtles, parakeets, hamsters, and a wonderful Irish setter named Kelly as pets.As a child, I loved drawing animals and adored reading books
about them. Among my favorites were The Cat in the Hat series, Where the Wild Things Are, Charlotte’s Web, Born Free, and The Wind in the Willows. But the Doctor Doolittle series and the 1967 movie based on these books inspired me to pursue veterinary medicine as a career. I wanted to be John Dolittle, dealing with a Noah’s Ark variety of animals. My actual pathway did not quite mirror that dream, but it had many congruencies. Like Dr. Dolittle, I have shared my home for most of my adult life with a member of the parrot family, which in my case is an Umbrella Cockatoo. In my career I have been blessed to have counted mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, dogs, cats, ferrets, sheep, goats, and pigs as my patients. But it was the nine years I spent as the Clinical Veterinarian at an upstate laboratory at New York University that were special because I cared for a colony of two hundred chimpanzees and several hundred monkeys of 8 different species. They are extraordinary creatures because they are close to humans.
Aside from animals, I have always held an interest in art. However, it was not until I moved to Albany in 1997 that my true passion for art developed. It started with a visit to the Albany Institute of History and Art (AIHA), and I was bowled over by the collection of Hudson River School (HRS) paintings. Wanting a more concrete involvement with that museum, I signed up for a two-week docent training program, taking a cue from my brother, who had been a docent at a museum in Philadelphia. I loved (and still love) giving tours to the public of the permanent collection and the temporary exhibitions. As I began to learn more about the HRS, I decided to venture into the world of art auctions. I gradually developed a small collection of HRS paintings. From there I broadened my horizons beyond the HRS: art of the Capital Region and the Hudson Valley including sculpture, drawings, prints, silver and folk art. My intention was (and is)
to eventually donate this collection to the AIHA. About 10 years ago, I had an epiphany. With a 40
plus-year career in veterinary medicine, I realized that what I knew best were animals. So, I shifted the focus of my collection to animal art, of all nations and all centuries. Not surprisingly there are pieces depicting parrots and non-human primates, but also of other exotic animals like wild cats, hyenas, and rhinos. I am thrilled to share a portion of my collection with the public at Jon Gernon's gallery. I hope that it will inspire discussion about our relationship with the animal world.
- Douglas Cohn, DVM