British school (XIX) - Porträt eines englischen Terriers mit Halsband

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

IMPORTANT: Please also note my other listings, as there is a second, different painting (pair) of this terrier in my auctions. If you win both paintings of this dog, you will only pay the postage once. You can find the second painting, which you can purchase in the other auction, at the end of the image series (photo 22).

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

Carrier history: The back of the painting support bears the original factory stamp of the renowned Düsseldorf manufacturer of artist’s colors and painting materials, H. Schmincke & Co. Düsseldorf. The embossing or stamp with the product line designation “MF8” and the size specification “00 / 16 x 12 cm” attest to the use of a professional, academically oriented study and painting support of higher quality from German production of this era.

Catalog number / format reference: Format 00 (16 × 12 cm). This specific dimensional division classifies the picture support material in the classic miniatures and study formats segment, as they were highly valued for plein-air studies and fine animal portraits before and around 1900 up to the 1920s.

Physical condition: The image measures approximately 16 × 12 cm (frame excluded) and approximately 18.2 × 14 cm with the frame. Please note that these are approximate figures, which are also documented in detail in the photos of the image series. The image carrier consists of pressed, sturdy cardboard with backing and labeling on the reverse side.

Analysis of the artistic depiction (The dog portrait)
This work is characterized by a precise and expressive capture of the animal:

Canine identification: The painting shows the head of a short-haired dog in profile to the right. The phenotypical features — elongated skull, attentive eye, slightly open mouth with visible tongue and teeth, and the characteristic coat pattern (brown-and-white) — strongly suggest an English Terrier (such as a Fox Terrier / Smooth Fox Terrier or a related line of British terrier breeds).

Detail rendering: The artist managed to capture the dog’s gaze in a living, vivid way. The dark leather collar with metal studs lends the scene a refined, homey refinement and provides a coherent color contrast to the red-brown–white coat.

Background and presence: The background is rendered in a neutral, cool gray-blue, with fine, loose brushstrokes that lend dynamism and make the subject stand out three-dimensionally.

Iconography and back-side design
Reverse side of the painting support serves as an important secondary source for criteria evaluation:

Factory stamp: The stamp imprint “Schmincke Düsseldorf” with the factory emblem is clearly legible and guarantees the historic quality painting ground from the late Wilhelmine era or the early 1920s.

Condition of the back: The paper on the reverse shows an even, age-appropriate patina without notable moisture damage, indicating 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 enormous popularity around 1900 and into the 1910s and 1920s — fueled by the rising popularity of purebred terrier breeds:

Stylistic mix: The work combines a realistic, kynologically precise depiction of anatomy with a noticeably impressionistic, swift brushwork in the area of fur texture and background, which is quite typical for plein-air and study painting of the 1880–1920 period.

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

Condition and collector’s assessment (Grading)
The state of preservation of the painting layer is excellent for a work over 100 years old:

Paint layer: The oil paint is stable, shows strong, fresh pigments and has no notable craquelure, flaking, or overpainting. The surface texture of the linen-embossed cardboard is aesthetically visible through the paint layer.

Framing and integrity: The included profiled wooden frame with a silvery-gold finish is structurally damaged. The corner joints are unstable and loose; the geometric integrity is no longer guaranteed.

Provenance: Unmarked but expertly crafted piece from a private collection (consolidated provenance 2026).

Market value analysis and outlook 2026
The work stands out positively due to its dating (ca. 1900–1920), the renowned Schmincke painting ground, and the expressive execution.

Criterion | Rating | Influence on value
Artistic rank | Skilled, characterful animal study around 1900–1920 | High
Physical condition (image) | Very well preserved, stable paint layer | Maximum
Frame condition | Damaged / unstable | Value-neutral to decrease
Market trend 2026 | Steady demand for antique dog portraits from the early 20th century | Positive
Market assessment: The estimated market value of the object lies at €600 to €800. The frame is explicitly listed as a free bonus/transport protection.

Summary for the archive
This item is a fine example of intimate animal portraiture from the period around 1880–1920 on quality material by Schmincke Düsseldorf. It impresses with its lively aura and represents a beautiful collectible for lovers of classical antique dog motifs.

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

Object
Oil painting on structured cardboard (Schmincke Düsseldorf, MF8).
Dimensions excluding frame: approx. 16 × 12 cm (approximate, see photos in the image series).
Dimensions including frame: approx. 18.2 × 40 cm (approximate, see photos in the image series).
Carrier manufacturer: H. Schmincke & Co. Düsseldorf.

Depiction
The painting shows a fine bust portrait of an English Terrier in profile. The dog looks attentively to the right, with a slightly open mouth. It wears a dark, studded leather collar. The coat is rendered in vivid brown-and-white tones, the background in a subtle, dashed gray-blue.

Technique and execution
Oil on linen-textured cardboard.
Carrier: Factory-made cardboard support from Schmincke Düsseldorf.
Framing: Wooden frame with decorative profiling (damaged).

Dating and context
The work can be dated to approximately 1880–1920 based on the Schmincke ground used and stylistic features.

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

Framing and packaging
The frame is damaged and corners are weak. For shipping, it serves only as protection of the painting and as a potential basis for restoration, with no guarantee of restoration success.

Condition
Artwork / paint layer: Very good.
Frame: Damaged / loose.

Cultural-historical significance and interpretation
Characteristic evidence piece for private animal painting and kynology of the late Imperial era and the 1920s on professional painting material.

Conclusion
A mood-enhancing and aesthetically appealing animal portrait on historical Schmincke painting ground from the period around 1880–1920.

Artist: Unidentified / monogram illegible
Title: Portrait of an English Terrier
Technique: Oil on cardboard (Schmincke MF8)
Dimensions: approx. 16 × 12 cm (excluding frame) / approx. 18.2 × 40 cm (including frame) – approximate data, see photos in the image series
Condition of image: Very good
Condition of frame: Damaged
Market position and demand
Small-format antique animal portraits from around 1880–1920, especially classic dog breeds, enjoy stable demand on the art and antique market.
Estimated values (as of 2026)
Condition | Estimated market value
Estimated value | €600 to €800
Conclusion for disposition
A sale via specialized art and antique platforms or auctions focusing on turn-of-the-century animal painting is recommended.
Please note regarding the assessment of the dimensions especially to the photos (I frequently photographed the measurements with a tape measure). The dimensions are often inaccurately processed electronically and sometimes incorrectly extracted in the description — please inquire again before purchase if exact measurements to the millimeter or centimeter are very important to you.
Please note that all information regarding the time classification of this work has been provided to the best of our knowledge, but no guarantee or claim to accuracy and precision can be given. 100% certainty would only be achieved through material analysis. Bids should only be placed if you have sufficient expertise to determine a correct time estimate based on the provided photos. The seller and also the Catawiki experts assume no liability for incorrect time classification. Therefore, rely solely on the photos as the decisive descriptive features.

WSz