Fine Oil Painting of a Monkey Judge by Edmund Bristow 1787-1876

A fine oil on panel depicting a monkey judge by Edmund Bristow 1787-1876. The scene is typical of the artist who was renowned for his anthropomorphic depictions of monkeys, in it we see two cats seeking a judgement regarding some food. The quality of the painting is superb as would be expected for this highly regarded artist. The work is signed to the lower left in the darkness and retains a lot of information on the reverse including two lengthy descriptions of the work dating the painting to 1828, one printed and one handwritten. There is also on the reverse an exhibition label where the work was once lent in Ryde. The painting is worked on a piece of mahogany which has probably been part of a piece of furniture as it is inlaid, while this is odd Bristow was an eccentric artist and it is understandable that he would use this piece of finely finished and good quality timber to paint on. Edmund Bristow was born in Eton, Berkshire, the son of a heraldic painter. At an early age he was patronised by the Princess Elizabeth, the Duke of Clarence (afterwards William IV), and others. He made sketches of well-known characters in Eton and Windsor, painted still life, interiors, and domestic and sporting subjects. He was a superb painter of animals, with a great power to render their characteristics, movements and expressions, and is said to have been a friend and advisor to Sir Edwin Landseer. In 1809 he exhibited a painting, "Smith shoeing a Horse", at the Royal Academy, and was an occasional exhibitor there and at the British Institution, and Society of British Artists, until the year 1838, when he exhibited the "Donkey Race". Bristowe was an eccentric man of independent spirit and worked only when he chose to – not to order. He sometimes refused even to sell his finished works. He excelled in the drawing of monkeys, cats, and horses. His works tended to be small in scale, well observed and with great attention to detail. Many of his works were bought by private collectors in the local area. This work is an excellent example of his anthropomorphic painting; it is in very good condition there is some craquelure and scoring on the timber which would have to had been there before the painting was even started. The gilt frame is not the original but a nice quality Victorian period example. The whole is a very charming example of this great artist’s work. Overall sizes in inches including frame: 18 ¼" by 14 ¼"