British school (XIX) - Seitenbild eines englischen Terriers in Bewegung

Portrait of an English Terrier with Collar – Fine oil painting on cardboard by H. Schmincke & Co. Düsseldorf (ca. 1880–1920)

IMPORTANT: Please also note my other listings, as there is a second, different painting (pendant) of this terrier in my auctions. If you win both paintings of this dog, you will pay postage only once. You can find the second painting, which you can purchase in the other auction, at the end of the image sequence (photo 17).

The present object is an original oil painting on toned cardboard or linen-textured board, classified as a striking animal portrait from the turn of the century to the early 20th century (ca. 1880–1920).

Carrier history: The back of the support bears the original factory stamp of the renowned pigment maker Pelikan. The embossing or stamp proves the use of a professional, academically trained study and painting carrier of high quality from German production of that era.

Catalog number / Format reference: Format 00 (16 × 12 cm). This specific sizing traditionally places the picture support material in the segment of miniature and study formats, as valued for plein-air studies and fine animal portraits in the period from before 1880 to the 1920s.

Physical condition: The image measures about 16 × 12 cm excluding frame and about 18.2 × 14 cm including frame. Please note that these are approximate figures, which are also documented in detail in the photos of the image sequence. The image carrier consists of pressed, sturdy cardboard with rear lamination and labeling.

Analysis of artistic representation (The dog portrait)

This work is characterized by a precise and distinctive capture of the animal:

Canine assignment: The painting shows the head and body in profile of a short-haired dog (terrier) facing left. The phenotypical features – elongated skull, attentive eye, slightly open mouth with visible front teeth, and the characteristic fur pattern (brown-white well-kept) – strongly suggest an English Terrier (such as a Fox Terrier / Smooth Fox Terrier or a related strain of British terrier breeds).

Detail development: The artist succeeded in capturing the dog’s gaze vividly. The dynamic posture lends the scene a refined, domestically tempered refinement and creates a coherent color contrast with the background.

Background and mood: The background is rendered in a neutral, cool green and other natural-like colors, held with fine, loose brushstrokes that give dynamism and push the subject forward plastically.

Iconography and rear-side design
The back of the painting panel serves as an important secondary source for criteria assessment:

Back condition: The back paper shows a uniform, age-appropriate patina with no notable moisture damage, suggesting proper and dry storage for more than a century.

Art historical context: Animal and breed dog painting around the turn of the century
The subject of academic and semi-professional animal painting enjoyed immense popularity around 1900 – fueled by the rising pure-breeding of terrier breeds:

Stylistic blend: The work combines a realistic, precise capture of dynamics with a noticeably impressionistic, brisk handling of fur texture and background, which is typical of plein-air and study painting of the 1880–1920 period.

Significance of the painting support: Pelikan painting supports were preferred by academically trained artists and skilled portraitists, as they guaranteed warp-free and durable painting culture.

Material condition and collector’s appraisal (Grading)
The conservation state of the paint layer is superb for a work over 100 years old:
Paint layer: The oil paint is stable, with bold, consistently fresh pigments and no significant craquelure, only minor flaking or overpaintings.

The surface texture of the linen embossing on the cardboard shows through the paint layer aesthetically.
Framing and integrity: The included, profiled wooden frame with silver-gold finish is structurally damaged. The corner joints are unstable and loosened; the geometric integrity is no longer guaranteed permanently.

Provenance: Unmarked, but expertly executed example from a private collection (lot provenance 2026).

Market value analysis and outlook 2026
The work stands out positively for its time frame (ca. 1900–1920), the reputable Pelikan ground, and its expressive execution.

Criterion | Rating | Influence on value
Artistic rank | Competent, distinctive animal study ca. 1880–1920 | High
Physical condition (image) | well preserved, stable paint layer | Maximal
Frame condition | Damaged / unstable | Value-neutral to reduction
Market trend 2026 | Steady demand for antique dog portraits of the late 19th and early 20th centuries | Positive
Market assessment: The estimated market value of the object is €600 to €800. The frame is explicitly declared as a free accessory/shipping protection.

Archivessummary
This object is a fine example of intimate animal portraiture of its time around 1880–1920 on Pelikan-quality materials. It captivates with its lively radiance and is a beautiful collectible for lovers of classical antique dog motifs.

Title
Portrait of an English Terrier – Original oil painting, ca. 1880–1920

Object
Oil on structured cardboard

Dimensions excluding frame: approx. 16 × 12 cm (approximate, see photos of the image sequence).
Dimensions including frame: approx. 18.2 × 40 cm (approximate, see photos of the image sequence).

The painting shows a fine side portrait of an English Terrier in profile. The dog looks attentively to the left, with a slightly open mouth. It wears a dark, nailed leather collar. The fur is rendered in lively brown and white tones, the background in a subtle, dashed green.

Representational animal painting of the late imperial period / early modern era with impressionistic brushwork and precise anatomical depiction.

Framing and packaging
The frame is damaged and corners are weak. It serves in shipping only as protection for the painting panel and as a possible base for restoration, with no guarantee of success for such repair.

Condition
Image / paint: well preserved.
Frame: damaged / loose.

Cultural-historical significance and interpretation
A characteristic evidence piece for private animal painting and kynology of the late Kaiserzeit and the 1920s on professional painting material.

Conclusion
A evocative and aesthetically appealing animal motif on a historical Pelikan painting ground from the period around 1880–1920.

Artist: Undesignated
Title: Portrait of an English Terrier
Technique: oil on cardboard
Dimensions: approx. 16 × 12 cm (excluding frame) / approx. 18.2 × 40 cm (including frame) – approximate, see photos of the image sequence

Condition image: good
Condition frame: damaged

Market situation and demand
Small-format antique animal portraits from the period around 1880–1920, especially classic dog breeds, enjoy steady demand on the art and antiques market.
Estimated values (as of 2026)
Condition | Estimated market value
Estimated value | €600 to €800

Conclusion for disposition
Sales via specialized art and antique platforms or auctions focusing on turn-of-the-century animal painting are recommended.
Note regarding assessment of dimensions: please refer to the photos (I often photographed dimensions with a tape measure). Measurements are often imprecise due to digital processing and may be misrepresented in the description—please inquire again before purchase if exact measurements to the millimeter or centimeter are crucial to you.
Note that all information regarding the time classification of this work is given to the best of our knowledge, but no guarantee or claim to accuracy and precision is offered. Absolute certainty would require material analysis. Bid only if you have sufficient expertise to determine a correct approximate dating based on the photos provided. The seller and also the Catawiki experts assume no liability for incorrect dating. Therefore, rely exclusively on the photos as the decisive descriptive features.

WSz

The frame visible in the photo is provided as a service and is not an integral part of the artwork. Any frame damage does not constitute a valid reason for complaints or order cancellations.