For your consideration is an Original George Armfield Oil on Canvas Painting, Three Dogs, cireca 1858-1870. Reverse of canvas is marked with the stamp of "R. Davis Chenies Mews 10 Huntley St, Tottenham Court Road". Robert Davis (b. c.1824) would appear to be the individual recorded in the 1851 census as artists' colourman, listed in 1857 as artists’ canvas primer. He is listed in the National Portrait Gallery research section under "British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - D. This canvas would have been attended circa 1858-1870. Armfield is regarded as one of Victorian England’s finer animal artists and his work as sought-after as it was in his own lifetime. Although this piece is unsigned, as is the case for most artists, his singular style and unique tight brushstrokes are his signature. The artist’s use of light is just mesmerizing. Not only can you see the wonderfully depicted expressions of the dogs, but their fur is painted marvelously. As with many of his paintings, the principle focus is on the dogs and their expressions. George Armfield (1808-1893) was a British genre artist specializing in oil paintings of domesticated dogs, probably the most prolific dog painter of the nineteenth century. He was an avid sportsman as well as being a prolific and popular painter of sporting subjects. George exhibited thirty two paintings at the Royal Academy between 1840 and 1862 and exhibited regularly at the British Institute and at the Suffolk Street Galleries until 1875. Armfield painted dogs almost exclusively, especially terriers chasing birds, cats or mice and spaniels flushing ducks. With broad paint strokes and loose handling of the brush, the painter effectively represents the different textures of fur, grasses and sky. This painting is mounted in its original custom-made wood and gold gilt gesso elaborate Victorian frame. The frame is hand-finished, and the nuances of the hand-applied gilding is apparent. The painting is in very nice condition, no marring. The custom Victorian style frame is nicely preserved, some gesso loss noted. Visible art measures 8.5"W x 11.5"L, frame is 16.75"W x 19.75"L x 2"D, combined weight is 4lb, 8oz.