"Alexia Robinson expresses her preference for a painting that depicts a warm, canine-filled scene, stating, 'As a child, I yearned to cuddle with the dogs and become one with them.'"
In the heart of London, the iconic bronze lions at Trafalgar Square are a beloved sight for tourists and locals alike. These majestic sculptures are the work of Sir Edwin Landseer, a renowned British artist whose life and works have left an indelible mark on the art world.
Sir Edwin Landseer, the author of the article's focus, began his artistic journey at a tender age of 13, exhibiting at the Royal Academy. His family, steeped in art, provided a nurturing environment for his talent. His father, John, was an engraver, and all his siblings became artists.
Landseer's works are renowned for their anthropomorphic depiction of animals, with loyal and devoted dogs being a particular favourite. His fascination with animals led him to study them at menageries and in the wild, even going so far as to dissect them to understand their anatomy.
The lions at Trafalgar Square, commissioned in 1840, are not Landseer's only contribution to the city's landscape. In 1866, he completed The Arab Tent, a sculpture that depicts an Arab mare and foal, two Persian greyhounds, and two monkeys in an Arab tent.
Landseer's life, however, was not without its trials. In 1872, he entered an asylum due to his 'nervous state of health', which was exacerbated by heavy drinking. He passed away the following year. Despite this, his works continue to captivate audiences, with The Monarch of the Glen, a famous Victorian painting by Landseer, having a life beyond art as a marketing icon and romantic symbol of Scotland.
The article is part of a series titled "In Focus", and is penned by Charlotte Mullins, an art critic, writer, and broadcaster. Mullins' latest book, The Art Isles: A 15,000 year story of art in the British Isles, will be published by Yale University Press in October 2025.
Meanwhile, in a different realm, the National Harvest Service and British Food Fortnight are running until October 6 this year. Alexia Robinson, the founder of Love British Food, is at the helm of these initiatives. Interestingly, Robinson named her racehorse Wally after a painting in the Wallace Collection, titled The Arab Tent by Sir Edwin Landseer.
As we walk through the streets of London, let us not forget to pause and appreciate the timeless beauty of Landseer's lions, a testament to his artistic genius and a symbol of London's rich history.
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