Join “A Drink with the Idler” as we interview cultural historian Thomas W. Laqueur about the role dogs play in some of the greatest works of art.

Dogs have been ubiquitous in the worldmaking of visual artists as far back as the Palaeolithic age. Looking across the western tradition, from Giotto to Goya and Rubens to Rego, dogs in art are our social doppelgängers, our companions in looking and being.

Thomas W. Laqueur will be chatting to Idler editor Tom about his new book, The Dog’s Gaze, and what the presence of dogs in paintings reveals about our own ways of seeing and how we want to be remembered.

The discussion between Thomas and Tom will be followed by a live Q&A when you will be given the chance to ask Thomas your own questions.

We’ll have a philosophical “Thought for the Week” from Dr Mark Vernon and the event will be hosted by Idler Academy director Victoria Hull.

This is an online event. It should be like meeting up in the pub for an interesting conversation. We leave the meeting open at the end so you can carry on chatting.

Thomas W. Laqueur is the Helen Fawcett Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. An internationally renowned cultural historian, he has published books on topics ranging from working class religion and education during the Industrial Revolution to the history of sexuality and the body. He is a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society, and recipient of the 2007 Mellon Foundation Distinguished Achievement in the Humanities Award and the 2016 Cundill Prize for Historical Literature.

Tom Hodgkinson is editor of the Idler and author of the best-selling manuals, How to Be Idle and How to Be Free. His new book is How to Live Like a Stoic: A Handbook for Happiness. Other publications include a book on parenting, the Ukulele Handbook and a manual for creative entrepreneurs, Business for Bohemians.

Dr Mark Vernon is a psychotherapist, writer, broadcaster, and teacher. He presents several Idler Academy online courses. He has a PhD in philosophy, and degrees in theology and physics. His most recent books include The Idler Guide to Ancient Philosophy (Idler Books), Love: All that Matters (Hodder) and Jung: How to Believe (Guardian Shorts) – and he has books on friendship, belief and the good life too. Mark can often be heard on Radio 4’s Moral Maze. He began his professional life as a priest in the Church of England. For more, visit markvernon.com.

Victoria Hull is director of the Idler Academy, producing the Idler’s live and online events and courses.