What defines Victorian sporting art and animal painting?

Victorian sporting art gained prominence during the nineteenth century, focusing on detailed depictions of working hounds, hunting dogs, and field sports, characterised by realistic anatomy and naturalistic landscape settings.

What materials were traditionally used for turn-of-the-century watercolours?

Artists utilised water-based pigments painted onto heavy rag paper, typically protected behind glass within a paper mount and a carved or gilded wooden frame.

How do collectors verify the authenticity of an original watercolour from this era?

Authenticity is verified by checking for artist signatures, assessing natural paper age and foxing, inspecting the mount construction, and reviewing historical gallery labels on the back of the frame.

How can antique sporting artwork be styled in a modern interior?

Framed sporting artwork functions well as a focal piece positioned above a fireplace mantelpiece, integrated into a gallery wall, or placed in a study alongside natural timber furniture.

How should framed antique watercolours be maintained and preserved?

Preserve watercolours by hanging them away from direct sunlight and dampness, using UV-protective glass, and ensuring the frame reverse remains properly sealed against dust.

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Arthur Wardle 1864 - 1949. English. A Hunt Pack of Welsh Hounds in Wales. Framed Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting from 1900.

Name: Arthur Wardle 1864 - 1949. English. A Hunt Pack of Welsh Hounds in Wales. Framed Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting from 1900.
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1124262
Price: 4985 GBP
Availability: InStock

1900 - 1920

For Sale by Big Sky Fine Art

Description

Arthur Wardle.

English ( b.1864 - d.1949 ).

Welsh Hounds From The Packs Of Lieutenant Buckley & The Hon. H.C. Wynn.

Watercolour.

Signed Lower Left.

Image size 7.68 inches x 10.83 inches ( 19.5cm x 27.5cm ).

Frame size 15.35 inches x 18.11 inches ( 39cm x 46cm ).

Available for sale from Big Sky Fine Art in the English county of Dorset, this original painting is by the highly successful artist Arthur Wardle and dates from 1900.

The watercolour is presented and supplied in a sympathetic contemporary frame (which is shown in these photographs), mounted using conservation materials and behind non-reflective Tru Vue UltraVue® UV70 glass.

This antique painting is in very good condition, commensurate with its age. It wants for nothing and is supplied ready to hang and display.

The watercolour is signed lower left.

Good News for our US Customers!

From 24 July 2026 the original works of art we sell are classified under the US Harmonised Tariff Schedule (HTS) Chapter 97 as exempt from the additional Section 301 import tariffs introduced in February 2026. This means that this original work of art can be imported into the United States without these additional tariffs. This allows American customers to buy from us with confidence, knowing that they are not going to be penalised by this global tariff.

Please note that normal U.S. Customs procedures and any applicable US State sales or use taxes remain unchanged.

We provide a professional shipping and delivery service which is free to customers in the UK, Europe, USA and Canada. We can also provide other worldwide delivery on any purchase. Please contact us for further information.

Arthur Wardle was a highly successful artist whose works continue to be sought after and have been widely reproduced on postcards, books, cigarette cards, calendars and even boxes of chocolates. He also produced the famous WW1 recruitment poster ‘The Empire needs Men!’. He was largely self-taught and received no academic training, yet became one of the pre-eminent animal and sporting painters of his generation. He is particularly well-known for his paintings of dogs.

Born in London, Wardle was just sixteen when he had his first piece displayed at the Royal Academy. This was a study of cattle by the River Thames, and was a good indication of what was to be a lifelong interest in painting animals.

In 1880 Wardle lived in Oakley Square, Camden, but artistic success enabled him to move to the more fashionable 34 Alma Square in St John's Wood by 1892. By 1936 Wardle had moved to West London.

Wardle was elected to the Pastel Society in 1911 and became a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1922. In 1931 he held his first one-man exhibition at the Fine Art Society and in 1935 the Vicar’s Gallery put on an exhibition of his work. He exhibited 21 works at the Royal Academy from 1880-1935, and more than 100 up to 1936. He also exhibited at the other principal British galleries and in Paris.

© Big Sky Fine Art

Mr H.C. Wyn lived on the Rhug Estate near Corwen, Merioneth (now Denbighshire).

Lieutenant Edmund Maurice Buckley lived near Newtown, Montgomeryshire (now Powys). Lieutenant Buckley was the only son of Sir Edmund Buckley Bart, Baronet of Mawddwy and Conservative MP.

For a full biography of this artist please see his listing on www.bigskyfineart.com .

We provide a professional shipping and delivery service which is free to customers in the UK, Europe, USA and Canada. We can also provide other worldwide delivery on any purchase. Please contact us for further information.

A full range of stock is available to browse or purchase at www.bigskyfineart.com .

Viewing of a painting is strictly by appointment only, which may include viewing the painting in your home or office, dependent on location. Please contact us to arrange an appointment.

Contact us by phone on +44 (0) 1305 581426 or email art@bigskyfineart.com .

Physical Dimensions

Height

39cm (15.35")

Width

46cm (18.11")

Depth

2cm (0.79")

Declaration

Big Sky Fine Art has dated this Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1124262

Description

Arthur Wardle.

English ( b.1864 - d.1949 ).

Welsh Hounds From The Packs Of Lieutenant Buckley & The Hon. H.C. Wynn.

Watercolour.

Signed Lower Left.

Image size 7.68 inches x 10.83 inches ( 19.5cm x 27.5cm ).

fig 1. A framed watercolour painting by Arthur Wardle depicting three Welsh hounds in a wide landscape setting inside a gold gilt frame. — fig 1. Arthur Wardle 1864 - 1949. English. A Hunt Pack of Welsh Hounds in Wales. Framed Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting from 1900.

Frame size 15.35 inches x 18.11 inches ( 39cm x 46cm ).

“

Available for sale from Big Sky Fine Art in the English county of Dorset, this original painting is by the highly successful artist Arthur Wardle and dates from 1900.

Big Sky Fine Art

fig 2. A framed watercolour painting by Arthur Wardle depicting three Welsh hounds in a wide landscape setting inside a gold gilt frame. — fig 2. Arthur Wardle 1864 - 1949. English. A Hunt Pack of Welsh Hounds in Wales. Framed Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting from 1900.

The watercolour is presented and supplied in a sympathetic contemporary frame (which is shown in these photographs), mounted using conservation materials and behind non-reflective Tru Vue UltraVue® UV70 glass.

fig 3. A framed watercolour painting by Arthur Wardle depicting three Welsh hounds in a wide landscape setting inside a gold gilt frame. — fig 3. Arthur Wardle 1864 - 1949. English. A Hunt Pack of Welsh Hounds in Wales. Framed Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting from 1900.

This antique painting is in very good condition, commensurate with its age. It wants for nothing and is supplied ready to hang and display.

The watercolour is signed lower left.

Good News for our US Customers!

fig 4. A framed watercolour painting by Arthur Wardle depicting three Welsh hounds in a wide landscape setting inside a gold gilt frame. — fig 4. Arthur Wardle 1864 - 1949. English. A Hunt Pack of Welsh Hounds in Wales. Framed Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting from 1900.

From 24 July 2026 the original works of art we sell are classified under the US Harmonised Tariff Schedule (HTS) Chapter 97 as exempt from the additional Section 301 import tariffs introduced in February 2026. This means that this original work of art can be imported into the United States without these additional tariffs. This allows American customers to buy from us with confidence, knowing that they are not going to be penalised by this global tariff.

fig 5. A framed watercolour painting by Arthur Wardle depicting three Welsh hounds in a wide landscape setting inside a gold gilt frame. — fig 5. Arthur Wardle 1864 - 1949. English. A Hunt Pack of Welsh Hounds in Wales. Framed Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting from 1900.

Please note that normal U.S. Customs procedures and any applicable US State sales or use taxes remain unchanged.

We provide a professional shipping and delivery service which is free to customers in the UK, Europe, USA and Canada. We can also provide other worldwide delivery on any purchase. Please contact us for further information.

fig 6. A framed watercolour painting by Arthur Wardle depicting three Welsh hounds in a wide landscape setting inside a gold gilt frame. — fig 6. Arthur Wardle 1864 - 1949. English. A Hunt Pack of Welsh Hounds in Wales. Framed Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting from 1900.

Arthur Wardle was a highly successful artist whose works continue to be sought after and have been widely reproduced on postcards, books, cigarette cards, calendars and even boxes of chocolates. He also produced the famous WW1 recruitment poster ‘The Empire needs Men!’. He was largely self-taught and received no academic training, yet became one of the pre-eminent animal and sporting painters of his generation. He is particularly well-known for his paintings of dogs.

fig 7. A framed watercolour painting by Arthur Wardle depicting three Welsh hounds in a wide landscape setting inside a gold gilt frame. — fig 7. Arthur Wardle 1864 - 1949. English. A Hunt Pack of Welsh Hounds in Wales. Framed Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting from 1900.

Born in London, Wardle was just sixteen when he had his first piece displayed at the Royal Academy. This was a study of cattle by the River Thames, and was a good indication of what was to be a lifelong interest in painting animals.

fig 8. A framed watercolour painting by Arthur Wardle depicting three Welsh hounds in a wide landscape setting inside a gold gilt frame. — fig 8. Arthur Wardle 1864 - 1949. English. A Hunt Pack of Welsh Hounds in Wales. Framed Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting from 1900.

In 1880 Wardle lived in Oakley Square, Camden, but artistic success enabled him to move to the more fashionable 34 Alma Square in St John's Wood by 1892. By 1936 Wardle had moved to West London.

Wardle was elected to the Pastel Society in 1911 and became a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1922. In 1931 he held his first one-man exhibition at the Fine Art Society and in 1935 the Vicar’s Gallery put on an exhibition of his work. He exhibited 21 works at the Royal Academy from 1880-1935, and more than 100 up to 1936. He also exhibited at the other principal British galleries and in Paris.

fig 9. A framed watercolour painting by Arthur Wardle depicting three Welsh hounds in a wide landscape setting inside a gold gilt frame. — fig 9. Arthur Wardle 1864 - 1949. English. A Hunt Pack of Welsh Hounds in Wales. Framed Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting from 1900.

Mr H.C. Wyn lived on the Rhug Estate near Corwen, Merioneth (now Denbighshire).

Lieutenant Edmund Maurice Buckley lived near Newtown, Montgomeryshire (now Powys). Lieutenant Buckley was the only son of Sir Edmund Buckley Bart, Baronet of Mawddwy and Conservative MP.

fig 10. A framed watercolour painting by Arthur Wardle depicting three Welsh hounds in a wide landscape setting inside a gold gilt frame. — fig 10. Arthur Wardle 1864 - 1949. English. A Hunt Pack of Welsh Hounds in Wales. Framed Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting from 1900.

For a full biography of this artist please see his listing on www.bigskyfineart.com .

fig 11. A framed watercolour painting by Arthur Wardle depicting three Welsh hounds in a wide landscape setting inside a gold gilt frame. — fig 11. Arthur Wardle 1864 - 1949. English. A Hunt Pack of Welsh Hounds in Wales. Framed Victorian Dog Watercolour Painting from 1900.

A full range of stock is available to browse or purchase at www.bigskyfineart.com .

Viewing of a painting is strictly by appointment only, which may include viewing the painting in your home or office, dependent on location. Please contact us to arrange an appointment.