The Fox Terrier in Art is the sixth exhibition to be held in the Kennel Club Art Gallery. The work of artists displayed includes Arthur Wardle, John Emms and Cecil Aldin. The exhibition contains over 40 exhibits, which allow us an invaluable insight into the world of Fox Terriers, their history, development and future. Items include a striking mahogany screen, containing nine oil paintings by William Lucas Lucas, two splendid gold trophies on special loan from The Fox Terrier Club, and a show lead once owned by Francis Redmond and used to show one of his most famous dogs Ch Donna Fortuna.
The star exhibit
however must be an oil painting by Arthur Wardle of the Totteridge XI,
signed and dated 1897. The dogs are left-right in the straw: Dryad, Ch
Daddy, Dame Dalby, Dalby (sitting) and Divorceee. Standing in the
foreground left-right are: Ch. Dominie, Ch Donna Fortuna, Ch Dame Fortune,
Ch D’Orsay, Ch Donnington and Diamond Count.
This painting is a classic example of dog portraiture and was executed under the watchful eye of the dogs’ owner, Francis Redmond. Many years after the completion of the painting, Wardle remarked, "Mr Redmond stood over me and made me “perfect” all his dogs - shorten their backs, lengthen their necks and muzzles, make their ears and feet smaller than they really were - and so on. None of them were half as good as in their picture."
Arthur Wardle (1864 - 1949) is one of the best-known British animal painters. His work not only covers dogs but also wild animals such as tigers and panthers. His name was very strongly associated with Terriers and a substantial amount of his Fox Terrier work features within the Fox Terrier exhibition.
Wardle was born in London in 1864 and started painting at a very
early age. He had little, if any, formal training and he was only 16 when
his first painting
was accepted for exhibition at the Royal Academy.
He was equally proficient in oils, watercolours and pastels and painted most breeds throughout his long career. His first one-man show was at the Fine Art Society in 1931 and in total he exhibited 113 works at the Royal Academy. Wardle’s output was extensive and a great body of his work was reproduced in many books as well as on postcards and cigarette cards.
Wardle at his best shows an instinctive understanding of his subject. His dogs are anatomically correct and gleam with condition, and his brushwork shows muscular tone and depth of coat.
The gallery is open to the public by appointment. To arrange your visit please contact the gallery by telephoning 020 7518 1009, alternatively e-mail artgallery@the-kennel-club.org.uk. The Kennel Club Art Gallery is at 1-5 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London, W1J 8AB, and the nearest tube is Green Park.