EXCEPTIONAL 1854 George Armfield Portrait of Manchester Terrier in Landscape Oil

This listing is for “Manchester Terrier, 1854” by George Armfield (1808-1893) pictured above. About this work: A fantastic example of George Armfield’s renowned portraits of dogs. This work depicts a Manchester Terrier excitedly standing outside a rabbit hole on the edge of a forest. The terrier is painted at part profile/part three-quarters, highlighting its contours and anatomy. Armfield, utilizing his fluid brushwork, does a wonderful job adding a colorful array of flowers and plants in the surrounding area. In the distance, a small town sprouts out amongst the trees and below a set of billowing clouds. The work is oil on canvas and is dated “1854” in the lower left. It is housed in an appropriate antique frame. This work previously sold at Bonhams & Butterfields in 2004 and comes from the collection of William Secord, the recognized authority on 19th century dog art. It was also exhibited at Secord’s NYC gallery in 2018. Size: 25.5 inches tall by 31 inches wide (painting) 33 inches tall by 38.5 inches wide by 2 inches deep (frame) Provenance: Bonhams & Butterfields, March 30, 2004, lot 35 (realized $8,813); Collection of William Secord, New York Exhibited: “The Dog in Art”, William Secord Gallery, NYC, 2018 About the artist: Bristol born George Armfield, son of portrait artist William Armfield Hobday, was probably the most prolific dog painter of the nineteenth century. He painted dogs almost exclusively and produced innumerable charming scenes of terriers surrounding rabbit holes, spaniels putting up mallard, ratting terriers, and groups of sporting dogs in interiors. A small beribboned spaniel curled up on top of a large barrel is often featured. Although the majority of his pictures are portraits of dogs, Armfield also painted horses, foxes, otters, deer and rabbits. He was renowned for his love of animals. He kept a small menagerie at his house, and was said to paint his subjects from life, thus accounting for the accuracy and special charm of his subjects. He was a keen sportsman and regularly went shooting, racing and hunting. In addition, Armfield was known to patronize the less reputable dens of dogfights and cockfights. It is recorded that he once spent three months at the Earl of Fitzwilliam’’s stables painting the horses and hounds in the kennels. Armfield earned substantial amounts of money for his painting, but spent it easily, gambling and giving it away to those in need. He was a hard worker, and produced a large number of canvases. Sadly, he began to go blind later in life and was unsuccessfully operated on for this ailment. Acutely depressed by his loss of sight, Armfield attempted suicide. When he recovered, he continued to paint, often aided by a powerful eyeglass, working up close on small canvases. He was reduced to such poverty that the Royal Academy awarded him a pension of £20 per annum. He died in 1893 before drawing the first installment. Condition: Very good overall condition. Relined and edged with paper-tape. Scattered stable surface craquelure commensurate with age. Slightly visible stretcher bar impressions. Scattered spots of inpainting along the edges, few in and beneath the dog, small area in the lower left corner and a few spots in trees. Difficult to detect further restoration under UV light through the varnish. The antique frame with wear and losses commensurate with age and handling. It is ready to be displayed and enjoyed! This work will be carefully packed and shipped with insurance and signature confirmation. Free local pick up is also available. International buyers - please note I cannot lower the declared value of the package for customs. I frequently receive messages from people after I sell an item, asking if it is definitely gone. If something catches your eye, don't hesitate to inquire before it is sold! Feel free to ask any questions.