The Victorian preoccupation with scientific progress underlies the enormous catalog of animal paintings produced in the nineteenth century. A new understanding of the science of biology led to the development of specialized animal breeds both domestic and agricultural. Immortalizing the new breeds in oil paintings and engravings reflected the physical changes of the breeds. The artwork also reflected the changing perspectives on the social status of owning pedigree animals. For the upwardly mobile, owing the most fashionably bred horse or dog was as important as choosing the correct milliner or tailor.
One of the early showcases of the science of selective breeding was the creation of the first English dog show in 1859. There were five categories; sheepdogs, mastiffs, terriers, scent hounds and companion hounds. The final category reflected the cultural shift of viewings dogs as valuable companions as well as working animals.
Queen Victoria bred at least fifteen breeds of dog during her lifetime. She was a keen advocate of animal rights. The Queen helped to pass the first laws promoting the welfare of animals. Prisoners were traditionally given royal pardons by the Queen on her various jubilees. The only pardons she refused to sign were those related to animal cruelty.
Queen Victoria commissioned various animal paintings by Richard Whitford. <span “font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;=”” font-family:”calibri”,sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:=”” calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;=”” mso-bidi-font-family:”times=”” roman”;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;=”” mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa”=”” style=””>The enterprising Mr. Whitford promptly set himself up with the epithet “Animal Painter to the Queen.” His full catalog can be viewed at http://www.whitfords.org.uk/ Other noted Victorian animal painters include Sir Edwin Landseer, John William Herring and William Huggins. Mr. Huggins is notable for his paintings of domestic poultry.
<span “font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;=”” font-family:”calibri”,sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:=”” calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;=”” mso-bidi-font-family:”times=”” roman”;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;=”” mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa”=”” style=””>In case you were wondering, yes, you can indeed buy a chicken with a written pedigree. Queen Victoria would no doubt be impressed by your attention to bloodlines. After all, that was how she came to the throne. In some cases, breeding really is everything.