Etude de Chien de Terra-Nuova ("L'Attente") (1852)
Study of a Newfoundland Dog (Waiting)
by
Jean-Léon Gérôme
Gérome (1824 - 1904) was a French painter and sculptor, particularly known for his classical and historical themes, his attention to detail, and the not-infrequent inclusion of erotic elements in his work. Gérome's work met with both critical and commercial success; by the end of his life, Gérome was one of the richest and most influential figures on the French art scene.
Although entitled a "Study," suggesting a preliminary work, this oil painting is a highly finished, remarkably beautiful, and richly detailed rendering of a Newfoundland dog, painted with a level of technical excellence that rivals that of Landseer but without the sentimentality. It is possible that this painting — which is quite large, over 4' by 3', the largest dog painting by this artist — is of one of Gérome's own dogs. A little-known gem in the history of Newfoundland art, no question.