Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Some years ago a salvaged scrapbook came to light in a Parisian bookshop and this is the source of this unique cutting of a lurcher dog (or is it a greyhound perhaps?).
The silhouette carries a stamp of authenticity within and is presented in a period maple veneer frame. The frames joints gape a bit and there is a small area of loss to the veneer on one corner.
Finding himself exiled in England with a wife and young family to support, Augustin Edouart opened a shop in Cheltenham selling French curios and artificial flowers but the venture was short-lived and a bankruptcy notice was published in May 1826. He had also tried his hand at creating pictures of animals and landscapes out of hair. These found favour with HRH Duchess of York who commissioned portraits of her beloved dogs. The work was, however, time-consuming and so not cost-effective. But all was not lost, as Edouart discovered he had an aptitude for cutting silhouettes and, third time lucky, this venture proved hugely successful. He spent the next fifteen years travelling around the British Isles cutting thousands of profiles including many authors, musicians, politicians and royalty before setting sail to the United States where again he found favour and success.
Provenance: Augustin Edouart's personal scrapbook
Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Small portraiture of character & historical interest
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Augustin Edouart Cut Silhouette of a Dog