Dodson was recognized as one of the leading American women artists of the late 19th century. Dodson's artistic interests were broad, starting with the semi-classic French influence of her earlier works, such as "La Danse". In 1878 she exhibited "La Danse", that she painted in 1876, at the Paris Exposition. Thereafter she exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon. Her painting "L'Amour Menetrier", with a French Rococo influence, has been compared to "Bacchus and Ariadne", a painting completed by Titian in 1523.