The Connoisseurs
Cousins's mixed method print is based upon an amusing self-portrait by Landseer, with a drawing board on his lap and two dogs looking over his shoulder, as if appraising his work. The painter's long association with the British royal family began in 1836 and continued for many decades. Commissioned in 1865 for Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), the painting is now in the Royal Collection. Following Landseer's death in 1873 the self-portrait was chosen as his likeness (based on this print) by the weekly newspaper "Illustrated London News" as part of its commemorative issue, an example of which is in the Met's collection (2015.653.17).
Artwork Details
- Title: The Connoisseurs
- Artist: After Sir Edwin Henry Landseer (British, London 1802–1873 London)
- Engraver: Samuel Cousins (British, Exeter 1801–1887 London)
- Publisher: Henry Graves & Co. (British, active 1827–1926)
- Sitter: Sir Edwin Henry Landseer (British, London 1802–1873 London)
- Date: December 10, 1867
- Medium: Mezzotint on chine collé; proof before letters
- Dimensions: Sheet: 22 13/16 × 16 3/4 in. (58 × 42.5 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1962
- Object Number: 62.600.575
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
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Sir Edwin Henry Landseer
ca. 1817–20
Sir Edwin Henry Landseer
August 8, 1848
Sir Edwin Henry Landseer
J. Marshall
19th century
Sir Edwin Henry Landseer
1871
Multiple artists/makers
1878 (?)
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