Animals support life on Earth in countless ways. Elephants shape forests. Bees pollinate crops. Oceans thrive because of creatures like rays and fish. When species disappear, ecosystems collapse. World Animal Day reminds us that protecting animals also protects our own survival.
A Heron by Water's Edge
This beautiful Anglo Indian 19th century Old Master bird oil painting on panel has something rather special about it. Painted circa 1810, a fantastic large grey and white heron is stood in the foreground with an eel in its long yellow beak. It is standing at the water's edge with some reeds and rocks nearby and a rocky landscape and blue sky behind it. The low perspective emphasizes the heron's size and statuesque build against the sky. The detail in the markings on its feathers is superb. A beautiful painting, impressively executed.
This charming large British Old Master pastoral oil painting is by noted artist Francis Wheatley. It was painted in 1797 and depicts five figures, a family and a dog in a woodland setting, gathering faggots or kindling for the fire. The father is tackling a tree and the mother, son and older daughter are gathering up bundles of firewood. The younger daughter is resting on the ground with the dog. Beyond is a landscape with sheep grazing and a dwelling behind them. It is a colourful scene with great detail and brushwork and has good provenance. This is an excellent British Old Master and a lovely example of Wheatley's work.
Signed and dated 1797 lower right. Titled on name plate.
Provenance. Sir Robert Cravens Private Collection (UK)
This charming British Victorian oil painting is by noted artist Albert Chevalier Tayler. Painted in 1896 the composition is four women in a sitting room. One young woman is holding up sheer fabric that she is planning to use for a new dress. She is watched by two more young women and an older lady as they consider her choice. A hat box of ribbons lies on the floor. This is a lovely dynamic figurative interior painting telling a story of dress making at home and a young woman's hopes and dreams of a new dress, maybe even a wedding dress. The is also an excellent example of Victorian art and of Tayler's work.
If you are a dog lover like us you'll love a good painting of a dog. We have had some stunning paintings of dogs over the years and here are just a few from our current selection.
Robert Morley - Portrait of a Spaniel
This gorgeous British Edwardian dog portrait oil painting is by noted animal artist Robert Morley. Painted circa 1910 the composition is of a black and white spaniel, sitting down, against a white wall and door way. The dog has a black face and black patches with lovely roan type speckles up its legs and body. Morley has beautifully captured the wispy softness of its fur and fluffiness on its chest. Of course the dog has those mesmerising dark brown spaniel eyes that would melt any heart. This is a simply wonderful spaniel portrait and any dog lover will be blown away by it and it it is also an excellent example of Morley's work as a dog artist.
Signed lower right.
Francesco Fieravino - Italian Greyhound and Friends
This stunning Old Master 17th century oil portrait painting is attributed to circle of Francesco Fieravino, an artist famous in his day for still lifes and carpets. This painting which dates to circa 1650 is a stunning depiction of an Italian Greyhound on the right with two other dogs. The dogs are collared and a prized possession along with the Ushak carpet on which they are portrayed. A really beautiful painting with tremendous detail and colouring.
Ushak carpets were woven for the wealthy Ottoman home market but their depictions in paintings by 16th century artists, like Velasquez, Zurbaran and Vermeer, illustrate their wider appeal. By the 17th century there was a substantial market in Europe and they could be found in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese churches as well as large European country houses.
This absolutely charming portrait of a Pekingese dog called Dodo is attributed to much loved Scottish artist Samuel Fulton. Famous as an animal artist and chiefly a painter of dogs, this has got to be one of his best if you are a Pekingese fan. Painted circa 1920, Dodo, a lovely little black and tan dog is sat profile but is turning to look at the artist/viewer. Beneath him is a beautiful orange and brown Persian rug. Fulton has perfectly captured with his brushwork his longer hair on his legs and chest and the cute curl of his tail. Dodo’s black eyes shine with intelligent curiosity. It is a wonderful painting of a real character and Dodo deserves to find his forever home.
Provenance. Aiken Dott Scottish Gallery label verso.
And last but not least, our gorgeous dog Forest on her favourite seat in the woods.
We previously had a liver and white springer spaniel called Woody whom we adored. We now have a black and white sprocker called Forest who is also an absolute joy and very good with the chickens.
This painting can now be viewed at Tate Britain, London .
This superb oil on canvas self portrait painting is by British Victorian female artist Louise Jopling. Painted in 1875, when the artist was pregnant with her son Lindsay, the painting is a three quarter length self portrait of the artist painting herself from a reflection. She is seated wearing a light blue gown and mop hat and holds a palette and brushes. There is an oriental screen behind and various objects in the room. The brush work and impasto are fantastic. It is an absolutely charming self portrait by a prominent Victorian female portrait painter.
A research project on Louise Jopling and her circle has been in progress at the University of Glasgow since 2005. The project aims to document her career as a leading female artist and her close-knit artistic, literary and theatrical world of late 19th century London and Paris. It also seeks to understand better the climate in which women then practised as artists and, more generally, the climate for women's growing participation in the workplace and in public life.
Signed and dated 1875 lower right.
Provenance Christies London. Label verso.
Tate Britian say:
Tate Britain has made an exceptional acquisition, bringing to light the often-overlooked brilliance of Louise Jopling, a pioneering English artist whose legacy has languished in obscurity for over a century. Jopling, a prominent figure in the 19th-century art scene and a staunch suffragist, was sidelined by an art establishment that failed to recognise her professional achievements.
The painting in question, a captivating self-portrait created in 1875 during Jopling’s pregnancy with her son, Lindsay, is a poignant nod to her talent and resilience. Titled “Through the Looking Glass,” this artwork is a gateway into Jopling’s world and her remarkable journey as a woman artist in Victorian England.
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