"Foxhounds in a Kennel," John Emms, 1887. Oil on canvas.
Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Franzblau.
William Secord to
Present 'The European Breeds'
NEW YORK CITY - William Secord, owner of the William Secord
Gallery, 52 East 76th Street, has announced that the gallery will
host an exhibition of European dog paintings in the fall. This
comprehensive exhibition, "Dog Painting: The European Breeds"
will open on October 23 and continue through November 25.
The 30 oil paintings that will be in the exhibition have been
chosen to represent a range of Nineteenth Century animal artists
and to showcase the many breeds characteristic of the major
European counties - whether it be the highly bred lap dogs of
Paris or the rugged sporting dogs on Scottish Moors.
In conjunction with the exhibition the book Dog Painting: The
European Breeds authored by William Secord and published by
the Antique Collectors' Club will be released. The book provides
an in-depth study with 580 illustrations, and explores the
development of more than 90 breeds, illustrating their evolution
with predominantly Dutch, English, Flemish, French, German and
Italian paintings of the period.
"Very little has been written on the subject, so I was thrilled
when The Antique Collectors' Club commissioned me to do this
book," said William Secord. "It has taken me eight years to
complete, but virtually every one of the 580 illustrations are
previously unpublished, and there should be something for
everyone."
Highlights from the exhibition include purebred and sporting dog
portraits by English artists. George Earl (1824-1908), Maud Earl
(1863-1943), John Emms (1843-1912) and Arthur Wardle (1864-1949).
French animal painters are represented by Jules Chardiny and
Alexandre-Victor Fontaine. Belgian realist, Joseph E. Stevens
(1823-1906) has one oil on panel in the exhibition as does the
less well known Charles van den Kycken (1859-1923).
The great Dutch animalier., Henriette Ronner (1821-1909) is
represented by two paintings of spaniels, and Woutereus Verschuur
(1812-1874) by a charming interior scene with a Newfoundland and
two King Charles Spaniels. The exhibition will be accompanied by
a full color catalogue.
William Secord, an authority on Nineteenth Century dog paintings,
has previously published a book on the subject, Dog Painting,
1840-1940, A Social History of The Dog in Art, currently in
its fifth printing. Secord is also the founder and former
director of The Dog Museum of America in St Louis, Mo.
For information, 877/249-3647.
