Vigilance, Loyalty, and Devotion
£15,950
‘Vigilance, Loyalty, and Devotion’ by Arthur Wardle R.B.C. R.I. (1864-1949).
The painting – which depicts a young Edwardian beauty with parasol surrounded by poppies and three faithful canine companions – is signed by the artist and hangs in a fine quality gold metal leaf Watts frame.
Following the deaths of Sir Edwin Landseer RA (1802-1873) and Briton Rivière RA (1840-1920), the mantle of Britain’s greatest living animal painter passed to Arthur Wardle. Like Landseer and Rivière, Wardle was a frequent visitor to London Zoo where he would make extensive sketches of lions, leopards, and tigers. It was though as painter of dogs that he became most famous.
Throughout art history, dogs have featured prominently as representing love and fidelity, and as a familiar symbol of devotional relationships. In portraits of young women, small dogs frequently represent the beauty and elegance whilst large dogs are included as icons of loyalty and protection.
Between 1880 and his death in 1949, Arthur Wardle was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy showing 113 paintings there, as well as hundreds of others at the Royal Society of British Artists, the Fine Art Society, the Royal Institute, the Walker Gallery in Liverpool, the Manchester Art Gallery, the Royal Birmingham Society, and with his dealer at the Arthur Tooth Gallery in the Haymarket, London.
Academy Fine Paintings only offers artwork for sale in the finest condition it can be for its age, having been professionally cleaned, conserved, and re-varnished. Clients should also note that tracked and signed for international shipping is complimentary.
Dimensions: (framed) 78cm x 103cm (30¾” x 40½”)
Dimensions: (canvas only) 57cm x 82cm (22½” x 32¼”)
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Provenance: Private UK collection.
Presentation: Fine quality gold metal leaf Watts frame.
Condition: Very good. Professionally cleaned and re-varnished. Ready to hang.