Artwork
The Dog and the Shadow
The Dog and the Shadow is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist Edwin Landseer. It dates from 1822 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Dog and the Shadow is a 1822 oil painting by Edwin Landseer, a British artist. It is an early work in his career and illustrates a scene from one of Aesop's Fables.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a dog on a rock, holding a red object, gazing at its reflection in the water below. The scene is set in a serene natural landscape, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation.
Technique & Style
The artist used oil paint to capture the textures and tones of the dog's fur, the rock, and the surrounding foliage, creating a detailed and realistic representation of the scene.
History & Provenance
The painting was exhibited at the British Institution in 1826 and later became part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection, donated by Joseph Sheepshanks in 1857 as part of the Sheepshanks Gift.
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.
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