Edwin Landseer

A child prodigy born to an engraver father, Landseer exhibited at the Royal Academy at age 13 and was elected an Associate at the minimum age of 24, demonstrating his early artistic brilliance.¹

His 1820 painting of St. Bernards rescuing a traveler is credited with originating the popular myth that these rescue dogs carry a small cask of brandy on their collars.¹

In 1823, Landseer began a long-term affair with Georgiana Russell, Duchess of Bedford, who was twenty years his senior, a relationship that significantly impacted his personal life.¹

His 1824 visit to Scotland profoundly influenced his style; the Highlands provided subjects for major works like 'The Monarch of the Glen,' establishing his signature majestic animal portraiture.¹

His paintings of black and white Newfoundland dogs were so influential that this specific variety is now officially named the 'Landseer' in his honor.¹

Landseer excelled at using anthropomorphism to satirize society, such as in 'Laying Down The Law,' where a poodle symbolizes the Lord Chancellor to critique the legal profession.¹

His pessimistic late work 'Man Proposes, God Disposes' depicts polar bears with the remains of a failed Arctic expedition; a legend claims the painting drives students mad during exams.¹

Beyond painting, Landseer sculpted the four iconic bronze lions at the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, a project that took nine years to complete and install in 1867.¹

From his late thirties, Landseer suffered from nervous breakdowns, depression, and substance abuse, eventually being declared insane in 1872 at his family's request.¹

Upon his death in 1873, Landseer left three unfinished paintings. Per his dying wish, his friend and fellow artist John Everett Millais completed these works.¹