A Gordon and an Irish Setter

MAUD EARL

1864-1943

English School 

A Gordon and Irish Setter

 Oil on canvas, signed, painted tondo

24 x 24 ins

61 x 61 cms

Maud Earl is one of the best known and highly regarded painters of pedigree dogs in the nineteenth century. She was born into an artistic family and her father was the well-known dog artist, George Earl, while her uncle was Thomas Earl who also painted dogs, horses and other animals. Taught by her father, Maud was very quick to develop her own style and had a natural talent for capturing the character of her canine subjects.

She exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1884-1901 and also at the Royal Society of British Artists in Suffolk Street. Both Queen Victoria and Edward VII commissioned her to paint several of their dogs including the King`s favourite dog Caesar.' Twelve of her compositions were engraved in l908 for reproduction in The Sportsmans Year. By 1916 she had received international recognition, was much sought after, and had had several solo exhibitions.

During her life, Earl's work seems to have taken on four different styles. From 1880-1900 she produced richly painted portraits which were reminiscent of her father`s work. 1900 to1915 saw her adopting a looser style. In her own words, 1916 to the1920s was her Oriental period when she emigrated to America taking up residence in New York. Her later work consisted of more stylised portraits of dogs. During her early years in America she painted lovely studies of birds which, although little known, she considered to be among her finest work.

The American Kennel Club has the largest collection of her paintings in the world and she is also exceptionally well represented at the Kennel Club here in London.



Bibliography:

Dog Painting, William Secord

Dictionary of Victorian Painters, Christopher Wood