Favourites, the Property of H.R.H. Prince George of Cambridge
Date:
1834 to 1835
Materials & Techniques:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
40 x 49 1/2 inches (101.6 x 125.7 cm)
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B2001.2.273
Gallery Label:
Prince George of Cambridge (1819–1904) was first cousin to the future Queen Victoria, and the only surviving grandson of George III and Queen Charlotte. As such, he was considered to be a close contender for the English throne. These animals, sensitively captured by Edwin Henry Landseer, the leading animal painter of his generation, belonged to George, who was fifteen when the painting was completed. The group includes a princely white pony, a trio of falcons, and two dogs—the larger one being a Newfoundlander, a breed that is also known as a “Landseer,” and of which Victoria herself was very fond. All three kinds of animals would have played important roles not only as personal pets but in George’s training in the gentlemanly activities of riding, hawking, and hunting. The royal residence of Windsor Castle can be seen in the distance, through the open door. Gallery label for installation of YCBA collection, 2016