Artwork
A Dog Facing Right
A Dog Facing Right is an oil painting by David Wilkie. It dates from 1823 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1823, *A Dog Facing Right* is an oil painting by Scottish artist David Wilkie. The work portrays a single canine rendered in profile, its head turned toward the right edge of the canvas. The piece belongs to the collection of the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a dog whose mouth is open, suggesting a bark or a gasp of breath. The animal’s fur is rendered in a mix of white and brown tones, set against a warm, earth‑colored background that emphasizes the creature’s form without introducing narrative elements beyond the animal’s presence.
Technique & Style
Wilkie employs visible brushwork that captures the texture of the dog’s coat, allowing light to strike the fur and create subtle highlights. The contrast between the cooler palette of the animal and the warmer backdrop demonstrates a restrained use of chiaroscuro, lending the figure a modest three‑dimensionality.
History & Provenance
Although Wilkie is chiefly remembered for genre and historical scenes, this modest animal study reflects his broader interest in everyday subjects. After its creation in the early 1820s, the painting entered the holdings of the Scottish National Gallery, where it remains on public display.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir David Wilkie (18 November 1785 – 1 June 1841) was a Scottish painter, especially known for his genre scenes.
The Highland Family
Napoleon and Pope Pius VII at Fontainebleau in 1813
Self-Portrait
The blind violinist
Portrait of Daniel O'Connell as Governor of the National Bank
Portrait of the Artist's Brother, Captain James Wilkie (1784 - 1824)
The Irish Whiskey Still
The Artist's Sister, Helen Hunter, née Wilkie (1793–1870)
