George Armfield (1808-1893) ‘To (sic) sharp to be Pleasant, 1857’ an oil painting on board showing a dramatic encounter between two terriers and a hedgehog in a rural setting, the two dogs, one long haired tan and white, the other a white wire haired Jack Russel type, around a hedgehog rolled up into a ball, indistinctly initialled lower right and titled and dated verso, 1857, and framed in an elaborate swept frame. Panel: 8” by 12”.
George Armfield (1808-1893) was the son of portrait painter William Armfield Hobday (1771-1831), in whose Pall Mall studio George probably learned his artistic skills. He became particularly well known for painting dogs, especially sporting dogs, in scenarios featuring terriers and spaniels encountering wildlife, such as this unfortunate hedgehog, or flushing out hidden game such as ducks, pheasants and partridges. He lived in what were then the London suburbs (Clapham, Camberwell, Wandsworth) and between 1836 and 1862 he exhibited 37 paintings at the Royal Academy. He made a name for himself as an animal painter and was in great demand to make portraits of horses and dogs, and as a result was frequently invited to country houses, spending three months at Wentworth Woodhouse, painting in the stables and the kennels there. His prolific output has ensured his place in the pantheon of Victorian animal artists.
Condition: Overall very good, the painting is in very good condition with no damage or paint loss, there appears to be no significant yellowing of the varnish, the frame is in good condition with the exception of a small loss to the upper right hand corner. Overall this is a charming painting and is very typical of the artist’s oeuvre.
Dimensions:
Height: 31cm (12¼”)
Width: 41cm (16”)