Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
These books were amongst his archive of work that was mostly all lost at sea when Edouart was shipwrecked off the coast of Guernsey in 1829. Some years ago a salvaged scrapbook came to light in a Parisian bookshop and this is the source of this unique cutting of a shaggy-haired dog patiently awaiting his next treat.
The silhouette is presented in a period papier-måché frame with a brass surround and traditional acorn hanger. There is a stamp of authenticity within and on the backing paper.
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 death of his wife caused the venture to fail. He then 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 fifteen years travelling around the British Isles cutting thousands of profiles, his sitters including many authors, musicians, politicians and royalty before sailing to the United States where again he found much favour and success.
Framed Size: 188 x 166mm
Provenance: The Artist's 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 Shaggy Dog
