Artwork
Drawing of a dog
Drawing of a dog is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Edwin Landseer. It dates from 1812 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This pencil drawing, created by Edwin Landseer in 1812, depicts a standing dog rendered in simple yet expressive lines.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a dog, is shown in an alert posture with a slightly lifted front paw and curled tail, conveying a sense of gentle movement. The work is one of Landseer's early animal studies, based on book illustrations.
Technique & Style
Characterized by loose yet confident pencil strokes, the drawing demonstrates Landseer's nascent artistic skill, evident in the quick, expressive marks used to suggest the dog's fur.
History & Provenance
Part of the Sheepshanks collection, the drawing's provenance is indicated by an inscribed mount. It is among Landseer's childhood works, now held in a public collection.
Context
For more context on Landseer's early output, comparable works can be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Edwin Henry Landseer was an English painter and sculptor, well known for his paintings of animals – particularly horses, dogs, and stags. His best-known work is the lion sculptures at the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.
