Faithful Friends of the Manor: The Ellesmere Bay and Bulldog
Dated 1887

This 1887 oil on canvas by the British animalier Edward Lloyd captures a moment of tranquil companionship within a Victorian stable. The central figure is a finely detailed bay horse, meticulously rendered with its dark mane and distinct white sock on the near-hind leg. Seated beside the horse on a bed of golden straw is a sturdy white and brindle bulldog, its watchful gaze providing a charming contrast to the horse's calm stance. The background is filled with realistic stable details, including a hay rack, a metal water trough, and a folded yellow and blue plaid blanket, all of which contribute to the work's descriptive realism. The painting is inscribed with the location "Ellesmere" and dated "July 1887" alongside the artist's signature, grounding the piece in a specific moment of late 19th-century sporting life.

Dimensions
31 1/2 inches (80.01 cm) High x 36 1/2 inches (92.71 cm) Wide (Framed)
25 inches (63.50 cm) High x 30 inches (76.20 cm) Wide (Sight)

Condition Report
The painting is in good condition and is housed in a substantial, wide-profile wooden frame featuring a gilded inner liner that illuminates the warm, earthy tones of the stable interior.

Provenance
American Private Collection; originally commissioned in July 1887.

Historical Context

Edward Lloyd was a well-regarded British painter specializing in animal subjects whose career spanned from the mid-19th century into the early 1890s. During this era, animal portraiture was a highly developed genre in British art, driven by the landed gentry's desire to commemorate their prize-winning horses and faithful hounds. These paintings were more than mere records; they were symbols of a refined rural lifestyle and the deep bond between an owner and their animals. Lloyd's work, as seen in this Ellesmere commission, exemplifies the technical skill and sentimental value placed on such sporting scenes during the height of the Victorian period.

(Ref: NY11101-ckrr)


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Good condition

Origin:
United Kingdom

Materials & Techniques:
Canvas, Oil Paint

Details:
Frame Type: Framed
Art Subjects: Animals
What type of item is it? Vintage / Antique / Used
Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Good condition