Arthur Wardle

Arthur Wardle was born in London in 1864 By the age of just 16 he exhibited his first work at The Royal Academy, a study of cattle by the Thames. This was to lead to a lifelong interest in painting animals, both wild and domestic. He was a frequent visitor to London Zoo where he made many studies for his his paintings. He was equally proficient in oil, watercolour and pastels and was elected to the Pastel Society in 1911 and became a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour in 1922. He held his first solo exhibition at The Fine Art Society in London in 1931 and later exhibiting in Paris. He bacame a master at capturing not only the form but the character, indeed the very essence, of his chosen subject whether that be a dog, a leopard or a polar bear. He is perhaps best known for his mastery of dog painting where he managed to paint both the portrait and the character of the breed. He exhibited extensively at The Royal Academy and his works are held by major institutions including The Tate, The Victoria and Albert Museum, Leeds City Art Gallery, The Kennel Club and more. He died in 1949.