Category: 19th Century Dog Art

Bonhams Dog Art Sale: Puppies Triumph as Dow Plummets

Bounce by James Barenger, 1811, sold for $45,750

With reports that the economy had taken its toll both on ticket sales and the number of dogs competing at this year's Westminster Dog Show in NYC, it's exciting to hear that at Bonhams' Dog Art auction sales were up.   The fact that Bonhams was the only dog art auction this week might have been a factor, since Doyle, the other auction house that usually competes with them this week, pushed back their annual dog art show until March 24 when the weather is better and the dog fanciers will not be torn between the championship finals and the art. But, given that the hammer went down at Bonhams on $810,000 total sales on the same day the Dow tumbled 381 points on news of Treasury Secretary Geithner's bailout plan, the power of dogs in art appeared indisputable.

The fact that they had many of the superstars of dog art helped too, with dog art lovers able to invest in excellent examples of works by blue chip artists. The pack leader was John Emms's Hounds and a Terrier on a Bench which fetched $218,000.

Hounds and a Terrier on a Bench by John Emms, 1882, sold for $218,00

Other highlights included:

Bob Finds a Covey by Percival Leonard Rosseau, 1920, sold for $42,700

Rough and Smooth Basset Hounds on Oak Screen by Maud Earl, 1863-1943, sold for $26,840

Old Bridge Bob by Herbert Thomas Dicksee, 1938, sold for $17,080, above its top estimate of $12,000

The surprise of the day was the fierce bidding over one of the prettiest pictures, William Bruce's White English Terrier (below). It fetched $17, 080, more than double its top estimate of $6,000.

English White Terrier by William Bruce, 1903, sold for $17,080

With the heights reached by Bruce's painting, it may be surprising to note that another sweet-themed painting, the auction's "cover girl," John Elsley's One at a Time failed to find a buyer. But with an estimate of $300,000 – $500,000, the painting was perhaps too sentimental for such cold, hard cash.

One at a Time by John Elsley, 1901, still needs a home

Overall, Bonhams was very pleased with the final numbers. Director Charles O'Brien stated, "Even with a difficult and selective market, this year's sale brought more than $810,000, a higher total than the previous year, and proved that dog art is an endearing field of collecting – one in which we hope to continue to excell."   The sales total for last year's sale was $716,256.

But my favorite comment to sum up the day comes from Sharlene Spingler, one of the auction house's clients. She wrote:

"What is interesting to note about [the] Best in Show sale is that it occurred on a day when the stock market sunk by 381 points!!!!!   Yet the enthusiasm for puppies did not fail. Rather it triumphed over economic adversity and the beautiful creatures were impervious to the temporal fluctuations of the stock market – leaving such fiscal ponderings to the minds of mere mortals!"

Or to put it another way: Dogs rule!

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February 12, 2009
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec the Dog Artist

Speaking of French dog artists (see previous Bonnard post), I've been meaning to post this sweet painting I discovered at the Hammer Museum in LA…

Touc, Seated on a Table by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, ca 1879-1881

November 6, 2008
C. M. Coolidge’s Boston Terrier

I'm a bad dog. What kind of dog are you?

I found this hand-colored photogravure c. 1895 in the Library of Congress archives today. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was done by C.M. Coolidge of the famous dogs playing poker series. Definitive proof he was more than a kitschy ad man. This little guy is fantastic!

Here is a great article on the life and art of C. M. Coolidge by Melanie Light.

September 15, 2008
The Dog by Francisco de Goya

The Dog, 1820

Britain's The Independent is doing an interesting Great Art Series. They recently featured this powerful and mysterious painting by Francisco de Goya simply entitled The Dog.

Tom Lubbock writes:

It's a frightful picture of dream-like helplessness and despair. It's
also a demonstration of the power of simplicity. Goya's The Dog is one
of his so-called "Black Paintings", the sequence of murals, usually
with nightmarish subjects, that the artist painted on the walls of the
Quinta del Sordo, a country house outside Madrid he occupied in the
early 1820's.

Read his full analysis here. It's fascinating.

(Click on image for a larger view.)

July 22, 2008
Van Gogh the Dog Artist

Landscape with Snow by Vincent Van Gogh, 1888

I had no idea Vincent Van Gogh was a dog artist. Click on the image to see a larger size and lose yourself in the cool beauty of Arles in February.

I found this on fellow dog art blogger from The Netherlands, Marlou's website, where she shares photos and adventures of her Ibizan Hound named Phoenix, along with select dog art masterpieces like this Van Gogh from the Guggenheim.

Here is Marlou's blog translated into English.

July 8, 2008
Take Your Dog to Work Day

Portrait of an Extraordinary Musical Dog by Philip Reinagle, 1805

Don't forget that tomorrow, June 20, 2008, is Take Your Dog to Work Day. This little guy is hard at work composing the next Dr. Pepper jingle.

Painting courtesy of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

June 19, 2008
William Secord On The Martha Stewart Show Today!

William "Bill" Secord, the leading authority on 19th and 20th century dog paintings, visits The Martha Stewart Show today with some of his favorite examples from the genre. Secord’s interest in dog art began in 1981 when he was named the director of the Dog Museum of America. After that, he opened his own William Secord Gallery, which specializes in 19th and 20th century dog paintings, and also represents several contemporary artists, such as Christine Merrill.

He is also the author of several books on the subject including his most recent work, A Breed Apart: The Art Collections of the American Club, which he kindly gives to every member of Martha’s audience today.
And, perhaps most importantly, he has a Dandie Dintmont Terrier named Rocky.

Say hi to Martha for us, Bill. And thanks for taking dog art as seriously as we do at Dog Art Today!

March 26, 2008
Own Your Own Earl, Fenn or Emms. Heck Own ‘Em All!

Silent Sorrow by Maud Earl, 1910

The American Kennel Club has announced that in the first time of their 125-year history, they will make available prints of their prestigious dog painting collection.

The initial offering is a limited quantity of 20 hand-embellished giclée prints of various breeds from some of the most renowned dog artists in history. Sizes run from 8 by 10 inches to 6 by 10 feet. Prices range from $250 to $10,000 depending upon the size and framing. Ultimately, the AKC along with their partner, the Meisner Gallery, plans to offer the complete portfolio of the collection to dog art enthusiasts. I'll keep you posted as new artists and breeds become available. For now, visit the AKC Gallelry and take your pick.

Greyhounds by George Fenn, date unknown

Pug and Terrier by John Sargent Noble, 1875

Two Foxhounds and Fox Terrier on a Kennel Bench by John Emms, 19th Century

You may recall, John Emms's, Foxhounds and a Hunt Terrier on a Bench sold at Bonhams's Dog Art Sale last month for $66,000. I know these are reproductions, but it might be fun to add an Emms to your collection. He's very hot right now.

March 4, 2008
The William Secord Gallery: 19th Century Dog Paintings Exhibition

Brindle French Bulldog Head Study With Collar by Monica Gray

The William Secord Gallery, the premier gallery specializing in fine 19th century dog and animal paintings is holding a special exhibition to coincide with the Westminster Dog Show. Nineteenth Century Dog Paintings opens on February 9 and runs until March 22, 2008. If you can’t make it to New York, view the wonderful paintings online.

Here are some of my favorites.

Boubus by John Emms

Best Friends by Samuel Fulton

Gordon Setter by Frank Paton

Jumbo, Cherie, Salembo, Chloe and Topsy by the British School

Nellie by R. Brown

Dachshunds At Rest by Ludwig Voltz

William Secord is the world authority on nineteenth century dog painting and the author of three excellent books on the subject; Dog Painting 1840-1940, Dog Painting, The European Breeds, and A Breed Apart, The Art Collections of The American Kennel Club

For collectors, read what Smart Money and Country Living say about The William Secord Gallery and the hot dog art market.

Information:

William Secord Gallery
52 East 76 Street, New York, NY 10021
212.249.0075

February 3, 2008
Bonhams Dog Sale

Lot No: 225 – John Emms Foxhounds and a hunt terrier on a bench. Estimate $60,000 – 80,000.

Auction house Bonhams is holding its next Dog Sale to coincide with the Westminster Dog Show on February 12, 2008 in NYC. Here are some of my favorite dog art picks.

Lot No: 27 – Early 20th century pair of British glazed ceramic tiles by Minton and Hollins Co. depicting a pointer and a setter in glazed relief set in a gilt frame. Estimate $600 – 800.

Lot No: 17 – Victorian watercolor and pinprick picture of a spaniel with a pheasant. Estimate $400 – 600.

Lot No: 29 – Victorian pierce-carved oak and needlepoint slipper holder with dog’s head. Estimate $800 – 1,200.

Lot No: 143 – A pair of diamond and ruby golden Labrador cufflinks. Estimate $1,200 – 1,800.

Lot No: 33 – Victorian wool needlepoint depicting a recumbent spaniel. Estimate $800 – 1,200.

Lot No: 38 – American cast bronze ‘Doggie’ doorknob. (I love the paws!) Estimate $7,000 – 9,000.

Lot No: 205 – Sir John Lavery R.A., R.S.A., R.H.A. (1856-1941). Dog on a chair. Estimate $30,000 – 50,000.

Lot No: 58 20th century silvered metal bulldog curling iron. Awesome!!! Estimate $300 – 500

Lot No: 206 – Arthur Wardle two Fox Terriers. “Anticipation.” Esitmate $30,000 – 40,000.

Lot No: 127 – Five leather Pug collars and one leather lead belonging to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. One tag reads “I belong to the Duke of Windsor, Blencathra, Bell Boy” on one side and “Thomas” on the other. Two other are inscribed with the names “Rookie” and “Preesie.” The Windsors adored their Pugs.
(Melissa, maybe Emmitt needs one of these.) Estimate $2,000 – 3,000.

Lot No: 126 – Three woolen Pug coats made for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s Pugs. This is one of the most beautiful pieces of dog apparel I’ve ever seen. Perhaps it was made by a royal taylor in a Savile Row shop. Exquisite! Estimate $1,500 – 2,500.

Lot No: 259 – 1925 William Walls Pekingese painting. Estimate $400 – 600. (Wendy, this is for you.)

Thanks to the fabulous Michèle of Eurodogtraining for the heads up on Bonhams’s Dog Sale.

January 23, 2008