A 19thC Cut-Out Pencil & Ink Study of an Irish Water Dog; 'Sweep'

Origin: English
Period: Early/Mid Victorian
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1840-60
Height: 6”
Width: 8”

The delightful study of an Irish water dog chained outside a doghouse seated on a lawn, in the naïve manner, the whole inscribed below: 'A Portrait - drawn from life, Sweep. property of F.D. Whiting?', and presented in an early twentieth century gilt metal frame.

The overall condition is totally original and there are no signs of damage the study.

Executed with a good provincial dexterity and a keen eye for texture and light, the animal has been depicted naively with a sweet demeanor and the lack of colour is very effective.

The Irish water spaniel is a medium-size sporting dog breed from Ireland that has a curly, medium-length coat that only minimally sheds. The dense coat is waterproof, an ideal trait for this expert swimmer and water retriever.

A wholly charming depiction of a much-loved hound.