Oil Painting of Terriers by George Armfield (1810-1893)

Superb oil on artist board depicting terriers at a rabbit hole by George Armfield (1810-1893). A truly great work by one of the finest nineteenth century animal painters. The painting shows a group of terriers waiting in great expectation for a rabbit to bolt from a hole, all within the most wonderful mountain setting. The technique is flawless with particular attention paid to the dog’s coats and character; it really is the artist at his best. The painting is signed to the bottom left in amongst the undergrowth. George Armfield Smith (as he was born but later dropped Smith) really was one of the best dog painters of the nineteenth century. His preference was to paint hunting dogs with broad, lively brush strokes capturing the earthy colours of fur and grasses. He was the son of the portrait painter William Armfield Hobday from whom he learned his craft. George was a precocious artist beginning his career at the young age of 16 when he exhibited his first painting at the Royal Academy. Armfield’s work is included in the collections of the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and the Glasgow Art Gallery, among many others. He exhibited over 112 painting throughout his life out of which 37 were at the Royal Academy, 43 at British Institution and 42 of them at Rsba. Armfield died in Clapham, England in August of 1893. This work retains a gallery number on the back of the board and a gallery description which indicates it was one of his exhibited pieces. The work has been professionally cleaned and is in excellent condition. The gilt frame is the original although it has been later overpainted, with some minor restoration. The whole is a great example of the work of this most highly regarded and most recognisable of Victorian artists.