Victorian Oil Painting Sporting "Game Dogs" — Signed Robert Cleminson (1864-1903) | Oil on canvas laid on board, c.1890, Framed





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Antique Victorian Oil Painting — "Game Dogs" by Robert Cleminson (1864–1903). Signed, oil on canvas laid on board, c.1890, original gilt wood frame.


? Subject & Medium A finely observed Victorian sporting oil painting titled “Game Dogs” by British artist Robert Cleminson (1864–1903). Executed in oil on canvas laid on board and dated to the late 19th century (c.1890), the work depicts two game dogs with their day’s quarry in a Highland landscape — a classic subject for collectors of Victorian sporting art, dog paintings and traditional country house decor. ? Composition & Technique Set beneath a soft, atmospheric sky with distant Highland hills, Cleminson places two hunting dogs in the foreground — a white-and-brown dog reclining in near-frontal profile and a black dog shown in side profile, alert and watchful. A large wicker basket of game rests against stone boulders to the right, reinforcing the sporting narrative. Cleminson’s confident brushwork uses textured strokes on the dogs’ coats, softer touches for plumage and layered earth tones for grass and ground, producing a warm, natural palette typical of high-quality Victorian sporting painting. ?? About the Artist Robert Cleminson (1864–1903) is a listed British painter noted for landscapes, Highland game scenes and animal paintings with an emphasis on sporting dogs and game. He exhibited works at the British Institution and the Society of British Artists. His auction record is recorded at around $16,470 USD for The Tiger Hunt (Bonhams Knightsbridge, 2018), demonstrating continued market interest in his stronger works. Signed The painting is signed “Robert Cleminson” in the lower left corner; the signature’s style and placement are consistent with other known works by the artist and support the attribution. ? Historical Significance This Victorian sporting painting exemplifies 19th-century British field-sport imagery — the romantic Highland setting and dignified portrayal of dogs and game reflect the period’s taste for animal portraiture and country-house decoration. ? Framed Housed in its original gilt wood frame with rich moulded floral and foliate gesso decoration, the frame remains an important period survival. A front protective glass cover shields the painted surface; the reverse is boarded and the frame is fitted with a hanging thread, so the work is ready for immediate display on arrival. The unwrapped frame weighs approximately 8 kg. ? Dimensions (Framed) Height: 56.5 cm; Width: 66 cm; Depth: approx. 9 cm — a medium-sized statement piece suitable for a fireplace, library, hallway or study. ? Provenance Originally in a private UK collection, the painting was sold at Bamfords Auctioneers & Valuers (Derby) in Interiors & Collectors sales (2 Dec 2020, lot 1019; 13 Jan 2021, lot 196). Auction labels remain on the reverse. It was subsequently handled by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD and offered on specialist online platforms and US auctions before being offered here on eBay UK. Why You’ll Love It • Authentic Victorian sporting subject: two game dogs, visible game birds and a romantic Highland setting. • By a named, listed artist, Robert Cleminson, with documented exhibition history and an auction record. • Original gilt frame and protective glass enhance period character and display presence. • A genuine, collectible 19th-century oil that works as both decorative focal point and historical sporting picture. ? Condition Offered in overall good used condition consistent with its age. The frame shows wear to the gilt finish, gesso losses, scuffs and repairs commensurate with long use. The painted surface shows foxing, staining and craquelure in places; the paint layer appears stable with no obvious large modern overpaint visible to the naked eye. These age-related features contribute to the painting’s authentic antique character. ?

Reserve: $8,100.00

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