Sir Edwin Landseer

Sir Edwin Landseer

Sir Edwin Landseer and his contributions

Sir Edwin Henry Landseer (1802 - 1873) was widely popular for his animal paintings, especially the paintings of dogs, horses, and stags. Moreover, he was well known for his lion sculptures at the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square. In general, he was a sculptor and an English painter and a part of the movement of Animalier, which made him very famous. Looking for   Oil Paintings  of this famous Artist you have come to the right place.

His life:

Sir Edwin Henry Landseer was born in England, London, on 7 March 1802. He was the son of Jane Potts and English landscape engraver John Landseer A.R.A. At a very early age, his artistic talent was recognized as a prodigy. He acquired various styles and knowledge about art from different artists. He got more encouragement from the British history painter Benjamin Robert Haydon, where he learned how performing dissections is helpful to understand the animal skeletal structure and animal musculature. After that, he joined the Royal Academy, where his life changed. In 1815, he started exhibited works at the Royal Academy when he was only 13 years old. At the age of 24, he was elected at the Royal Academy as an Associate. In 1831, he joined as an Academician.

In 1823, he painted the portrait of Georgiana Russell, Duchess of Bedford. In 1850, he was knighted. Later in 1866, he rejected the invitation of the Royal Academy as president. At the age of 30, Sir Edwin Landseer suffered from a substantial nervous breakdown that troubled the rest of his life by bouts of melancholy, depression, and hypochondria. He became aggravated with the use of drugs and alcohol. Before his death, some of the years were very problematic for his family because of his mental stability. In July 1872, his family requested to declare him insane.

His Sculptures:

In 1858, the government had planned the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square by making four bronze lions where Sir Edwin Henry Landseer had been commissioned. He accepted this, but the work had been delayed for various reasons. However, the work started at the Kensington studio of Carlo Marochetti for four bronze lions. But, Henry Landseer's health issues slowed down the work. In 1867, the lion sculptures were established on the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.

His Paintings:

In 19th-century British art, Sir Edwin Henry Landseer was a notable and famous figure. His famous work can be seen in the Wallace Collection in London, Kenwood House, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Tate Britain. He and his fellow English painter Frederick Richard Lee had a collaborated work. 

Here are some of his famous painting works:

• Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveller: It was published in 1820. This painting shows a man is partly buried in snow, and two dogs are standing over that man. One dog is licking the man's hand, and another is barking to get help.
• Laying Down The Law: This painting was established in 1840. This painting indicates a group of dogs along with a poodle who is represented as the Lord Chancellor.

Some other famous artistic works are Rent Day in the Wilderness (1855–1868), The Monarch of the Glen (1851), Man Proposes, God Disposes (1864), Flood in the Highlands (1864), and many others. 

Death:

Sir Edwin Henry Landseer died on 1 October 1873. His ill health and sudden demise left three unfinished paintings: Nell Gwynne, Finding the Otter, and The Dead Buck. Before his death, his last wish was that his friend John Everett Millais should finish the incomplete paintings, which was fulfilled. His demise was a big loss to the painting and sculpture world. His famous paintings and sculpture works have always been remembered in the sculpture and painting world.