Benton Fine Art has dated this Victorian Dog Oil Painting to the 1890s.
British, (1863-1941)
Best of Friends
Oil on canvas, signed
Image size: 19.5 inches x 23.5 inches
Size including frame: 27 inches x 31 inches
A young hound is depicted sat in front of a straw filled kennel gazing out towards the viewer. By its side, lies another dog with a fox terrier puppy snuggled up to it. Meanwhile, two other foxhounds have dozed off in the kennel behind them. Barker often painted the foxhounds of the Rufford Hunt in Nottinghamshire where he lived and these dogs could well be from the same pack.
Wright Barker was born in Great Horton near Bradford on 10 July, 1863 to Benjamin Barker and Lydia Robinson, a family of weavers. The family lived at 4 Bartle Square, Great Horton, Bradford and later Falcon Street, Great Horton Road. After leaving school, he initially found work in the weaving industry, however, his talent for art soon led him to pursue a career as an artist. He is believed to have studied at the nearby Bradford School of Art during his spare time before going to Paris to study at the Académie Julian.
On returning to England in the late 1880’s, he settled in Edwinstowe, Nottingham where he established himself as an artist. Barker began specialising in animal portraits including dogs and horses, as well as hunting scenes, especially of the local Rufford Hunt and was known for his rich use of colour and bold strokes. In 1891, he made his debut at the Royal Academy, continuing to exhibit there throughout his life. He also exhibited at the Royal Society of British Artists, the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, Nottingham Art Gallery and other provincial galleries and at the Paris Salon.
Barker married Ellen Mary Alcock, on 10 August 1892 and they went on to have three daughters and a son. One of their daughters, Kathleen Frances Barker (1901-1969) became an artist and author. His wife was the daughter of a local farmer with extensive farmland in Tuxford and he often spent time there sketching horses and other animals. As well as working in Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire, he also visited Scotland and Poland.
He was elected a member of the RBA in 1896 and by 1901 was living in Ollerton, Nottingham having achieved considerable financial success. In 1905, he was commissioned to produce a portrait of Edward VII's dog Caesar. In later life he also became a picture dealer and in 1914, moved to Yorkshire where he spent the final years of his life at Thorn Lea, 16 Duchy Road, Harrogate. He died in Knaresborough on 10 March, 1941 and was buried at Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate.
Examples of his works are held by the Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Ferens Art Gallery, Kirklees Museum, Mansfield District Council, Mercer Art Gallery Harrogate, and Middlesbrough Town Hall.
Presentation: The painting is housed in a period gilt frame which is in excellent condition.
Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having just been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.
© Benton Fine Art
Benton Fine Art has dated this Victorian Dog Oil Painting to the 1890s.
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Sporting Dog Oil Painting of Foxhound Puppies & a Fox Terrier Puppy by Wright Barker Rba
