A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society
Encyclopedia
A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society is a 1831 oil on canvas work by English painter Sir Edwin Henry Landseer
. The original was damaged in a flood whilst on loan in America, and was returned to public view for the first time in 50 years after it was restored in 2009.
, granting him a medal and access to food.
The painting was bequeathed to the Tate Collection by Newman Smith in 1887. The painting was damaged in a flood whilst on loan in America, which required extensive restoration work. Following the restoration work which was coordinated by Ron Pemberton, the painting went on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
in 2003. The painting went on loan to The Kennel Club
in 2009 in order to form part of the Pets & Prizewinners exhibition at the Kennel Club Art Gallery in London. Prior to this display, it had been unseen in the UK for over fifty years. The coloration of the breed as featured in the painting has become known as a "Landseer
".
A 19th century copy of the painting by George Cole was sold by auctioneers Bonhams
for £7,200 in March 2007.
as being "one of the best and most interesting publications of the year", and "Mr Thomas Landseer's first great effort in this department of the art".
Edwin Henry Landseer
Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, RA was an English painter, well known for his paintings of animals—particularly horses, dogs and stags...
. The original was damaged in a flood whilst on loan in America, and was returned to public view for the first time in 50 years after it was restored in 2009.
Background
The dog in the painting is meant to be "Bob", a dog that was found in a shipwreck off the coast of England. The dog found his way to the London waterfront where he became known for saving people from drowning, a total of twenty–three over the course of fourteen years. For this, he was made a distinguished member of the Royal Humane SocietyRoyal Humane Society
The Royal Humane Society is a British charity which promotes lifesaving intervention. It was founded in England in 1774 as the Society for the Recovery of Persons Apparently Drowned, for the purpose of rendering first aid in cases of near drowning....
, granting him a medal and access to food.
The painting was bequeathed to the Tate Collection by Newman Smith in 1887. The painting was damaged in a flood whilst on loan in America, which required extensive restoration work. Following the restoration work which was coordinated by Ron Pemberton, the painting went on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the largest art museums in the United States. It is located at the west end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. The Museum was established in 1876 in conjunction with the Centennial Exposition of the same year...
in 2003. The painting went on loan to The Kennel Club
The Kennel Club
The Kennel Club is a kennel club based in London and Aylesbury, United Kingdom.The Kennel Club registration system divides dogs into seven breed groups. The Kennel Club Groups are: Hound, Working, Terrier, Gundog, Pastoral, Utility and Toy...
in 2009 in order to form part of the Pets & Prizewinners exhibition at the Kennel Club Art Gallery in London. Prior to this display, it had been unseen in the UK for over fifty years. The coloration of the breed as featured in the painting has become known as a "Landseer
Landseer
Landseer may refer to:* Sir Edwin Henry Landseer , painter* Landseer , Thoroughbred racehorse trained in Ireland* Landseer , a black-and-white variant of the Newfoundland, named after the painter...
".
A 19th century copy of the painting by George Cole was sold by auctioneers Bonhams
Bonhams
Bonhams is a privately owned British auction house founded in 1793. It is the third largest auctioneer after Sotheby's and Christie's, and conducts around 700 auctions per year. It has 700 employees....
for £7,200 in March 2007.
Aesthetics
The dog is painted against a threatening dull sky, in order to highlight the dog himself with the darkened markings on his head standing out. The dog reclines on a quayside, while water ripples against the sea–wall. The shadow of the dog is cast on his own flank. The painting was described by The Art JournalThe Art Journal
The Art Journal, published in London, was the most important Victorian magazine on art. It was founded in 1839 by Hodgson & Graves, print publishers, 6 Pall Mall, with the title the Art Union Monthly Journal, the first issue of 750 copies appearing 15 February 1839.Hodgson & Graves hired Samuel...
as being "one of the best and most interesting publications of the year", and "Mr Thomas Landseer's first great effort in this department of the art".
See also
- Monarch of the GlenMonarch of the Glen (painting)Monarch of the Glen is an oil-on-canvas painting from 1851 by the English painter Sir Edwin Landseer, which was commissioned as part of a series of three panels to hang in the Palace of Westminster in London, England...
- Laying Down The LawLaying Down The LawTrial by Jury, or Laying Down the Law as it is commonly known, is an oil-on-canvas painting from 1840 by the English painter Sir Edwin Landseer, which satirises the legal profession. It depicts dogs in the roles of members of the court with a French poodle centre stage as the judge...