Landseer did and said all he could against the custom of cutting, or "cropping," the ears of dogs. He said that nature intended to protect the ears of dogs that "dig in the dirt," and man should not interfere. People paid a great deal of attention to what he said, and the custom lost favor.
In 1850 the honor of knighthood was conferred upon Landseer. He was popular alike with patron and peasant, and no English painter has ever been more appreciated in his own country.
Landseer died in London in 1873, at the age of seventy-one.
Questions about the artist. What can you tell about the artist who painted this picture? Where did he live when he was a boy? How many brothers and sisters did he have? Where did they often walk with their father? What separated the two fields? How many of you ever saw a stile? What animal did Edwin sketch first? Where was "Edwin's studio"? What became of the pictures Edwin drew and painted when he was a boy? Tell about the keeper of the Royal Academy and Edwin; tell about Edwin and his picture of an old white horse; tell about his fine new studio. How did Sir Edwin Landseer think animals felt and understood? Tell how he went hunting. How well could he draw with his left hand? Why did people like him? Why do you think he was a great artist?
ANGELS' HEADS
Original Picture: National Gallery, London,
England.
Artist: Sir Joshua Reynolds (rĕn´´ŭldz).
Birthplace: Plympton, Devonshire, England.