Artwork
Setter and Grouse
Setter and Grouse is a print by Abraham Cooper. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 19th-century black-and-white print depicts a setter dog in a moorland landscape, accompanied by subtle hints of its hunting context.
About this work
Overview
This 19th-century black-and-white print depicts a setter dog in a moorland landscape, accompanied by subtle hints of its hunting context.
Subject & Meaning
A white and brown setter, alert and poised with tail up, is the central subject. The presence of two grouse heads in the undergrowth suggests the dog is on the scent, implying a hunting scenario without overt depiction.
Technique & Style
The print features detailed rendering of the dog's fur and textured grass, set against a more subdued background of distant hills and bushes, achieving a balance between foreground focus and naturalistic setting.
History & Provenance
Created in the 1800s, the print exemplifies the period's artistic interest in capturing animals within their natural habitats.
Context
Part of a broader 19th-century artistic trend, this work reflects the era's fascination with outdoor life and the precise illustration of wildlife in situ.
Legacy
While not individually renowned, the print contributes to the enduring legacy of 19th-century wildlife and landscape printmaking, influencing subsequent depictions of animals in natural settings.
Artist & collection
