Landseer and his connoisseurs

Sir Edwin Landseer (1802-73), painter

George Edward Perine (1837-85), engraver

Pre-1885

Mixed method engraving and mezzotint

20.3 cm. x 13.6 cm.

New York Public Library image no. 483023

The Met Museum provides the date here, though only the obvious one, i.e., before Perine's death. [Commentary continues below.]

The original oil-on-canvas portrait is in the Royal Collection. Here, we are told that the dogs were probably Lassie, "who was Landseer's constant companion in his studio," and Myrtle, a retriever. Apparently the artist presented it to the then Prince of Wales, "as an acknowledgement of his unvarying kindness towards one of his oldest acquaintances, an old attached servant." The idea seems to be that dogs are discriminating judges of a likeness, too! — Jacqueline Banerjee.

Bibliography

"The Connoisseurs: Portrait of the Artist with two Dogs." The Royal Collection Trust. Web. 26 September 2016.

"Landseer and His Connoisseurs." The Met. Web. 26 September 2016.

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Last modified 26 September 2016