A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society

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A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society
Tate Collection

A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society is an 1831 oil on canvas work by English painter Sir

Tate Gallery
in 1928, 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 times over the course of fourteen years. For this, he was made a distinguished member of the Royal Humane Society, granting him a medal and access to food.[1]

The painting was bequeathed to the

Landseer".[7]

A 19th century copy of the painting by

George Cole was sold by auctioneers Bonhams for £7,200 in March 2007.[8]

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.[1] The dog reclines on a quayside, while water ripples against the sea-wall. The shadow of the dog is cast on his own flank.[9] The painting was described by The Art Journal 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".[10]

See also

  • Monarch of the Glen
  • Laying Down The Law

References

  1. ^ a b "The Newfoundland in Art & Literature". Newfoundland Club of America. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  2. ^ "A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society". The Tate Collection. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  3. ^ "Archive Journeys: Tate History | the Flood | Tate".
  4. ^ "Support The Distinguished Member Restoration Project". Newfoundland Club of America. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  5. ^ Roberts, Mary Lou (April 2003). "Remembering Two Gentle Giants". Newfoundland Club of America. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  6. ^ "Exclusive Landseer Work Graces Victorian Canine Art Exhibition". The Kennel Club. 2 July 2009. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  7. ISBN 978-0-8020-5887-4
    .
  8. ^ "Lot Details: A Distinguished Member of The Humane Society". Bonhams. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  9. ^ Stephens, Frederic George (1880). Sir Edwin Landseer. London: S. Low. p. 79.
  10. ^ The Art Journal. Vol. I. London: The Art Union. 1839. p. 173.
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