Folk Art Pug Portrait Painting

Oil on artist board
Circa: 1890
Size: 16” x 22 1/2” (sight)
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I first saw this Folk Art portrait of a pug with the legendary dealer Stephen Score in 2018 at The Winter Show held at the Park Avenue Armory. It was indelible: the striking red curtain, the floral painted oilcloth or patterned carpet on the floor, and, of course, the scale of the pug itself and how she fit into the composition. I purchased it from Stephen a few years later, and it's currently hanging in my living room.

The practice of painting beloved animal companions, whether dogs or cats or prized creatures of husbandry, pigs, cows, or horses, is centuries old. Though we see it in formal works, we see it more in folk art because it is typically more intimate, a work created by oneself, or as a quick commission from the itinerant artist who stopped by to paint the family.

When discussing this work with others, everyone seems to have a different favorite detail: the characteristic tongue hanging out, those stylistic ears, her fat body, that big coral orange bow, or the bell below it. I've even heard, "Oh, those curtains!!"

An unusual aspect of the painting is the scale. Typically, animal portraits are small, like snapshots. However, this pug is presented in a vertical composition, like a human portrait, on the same size canvas we see for portraits of family members—because she is a family member!

This painting dates to the last quarter of the 19th century, which is fitting as Queen Victoria adored pugs and propelled their popularity. Artist Brigid Berlin shared this passion and had a room full of pug-related art and tchotchkes.

Love it or not, that mug of this pug sticks with you.

Provenance: Stephen Score

HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES AVAILABLE.

Condition: Excellent with minor scattered restoration.

Price: $28,000.00

ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED AS REPRESENTED