Early Life and Training
Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, a prominent English painter and sculptor, was born on March 7, 1802, in London. He was the son of John Landseer A.R.A., an engraver. Landseer's artistic talents were recognized at a young age, and he studied under several artists, including his father and Benjamin Robert Haydon, who encouraged him to perform dissections to understand animal musculature and skeletal structure.
Artistic Career
Landseer's life was deeply intertwined with the Royal Academy. At 13, in 1815, he exhibited works there, becoming an Associate at 24 and an Academician five years later in 1831. He was knighted in 1850 but declined the presidency of the Royal Academy in 1866.
Landseer's best-known works are the lion sculptures in
Trafalgar Square. However, his paintings of animals, particularly horses, dogs, and stags, also garnered significant attention. His popularity crossed class boundaries, with reproductions of his work found in middle-class homes and among the aristocracy.
Notable Works and Collaborations
*
Off to the Rescue (1827), a painting celebrating Newfoundlands as water rescue dogs.
*
A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society (1838), another notable work featuring a Newfoundland.
* Collaboration with fellow painter Frederick Richard Lee.
Mental Health and Later Life
In his late 30s, Landseer suffered a substantial nervous breakdown, leading to recurring bouts of melancholy, hypochondria, and depression. His mental stability was problematic in the last few years of his life, and at the request of his family, he was declared insane in July 1872.
Legacy
Landseer's works can be found in
Tate Britain, the
Victoria and Albert Museum,
Kenwood House, and the
Wallace Collection in London. His popularity in Victorian Britain was considerable, with his name becoming synonymous with a variety of Newfoundland dog featuring a mix of black and white.
Important: This article is based on information available up to 2022 and may not reflect the current state of these institutions or their collections.