This drawing is my homage to artist Anthony Van Dyck (1599-1641). Specifically, his portrait of James Stuart Duke of Richmond and Lennox (with his hunting dog, dated 1633-35). History of Art is heavy with portraiture like this from gifted painters who made their profession recording the appearance of important humans of their day. Many historians regard Van Dyck’s work among the best of this genre. And his style influenced heaps of portraitists afterwards. Painters who masterfully portrayed animals are much rarer. And, because animals can’t commission pictures, capture my admiration. Three master painters who did so come to mind: Anthony Van Dyck, Rosa Bonheur and Diego Velazquez. I’ve enjoyed seening the original Van Dyck painting many times in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. No disrespect to the Duke, if I have to be honest though, my tribute is clearly to the study of that dog within the portrait. Completed 2016.
