Description:

Antique canine study book plates date to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when illustrated books played a key role in documenting and celebrating the natural world. Often part of carefully produced volumes on dog breeds, animal studies, and sporting life, these prints combined scientific observation with artistic skill.

Artists like Arthur Wardle brought remarkable sensitivity to such works, capturing not just physical features but also the temperament and presence of the animal. Advances in photogravure printing allowed for rich tonal depth and fine detail, giving these illustrations a refined, almost painterly quality.

Today, these book plates are valued as collectible pieces of print history, offering a glimpse into a time when art, documentation, and craftsmanship came together in beautifully illustrated publications.

About the Artist

        Arthur Wardle (1864–1949) was a British artist, born in London in 1864, known for his lifelike paintings of animals especially dogs. Without formal training, he began young, exhibiting at the Royal Academy at just 16 after painting cattle along the Thames. He spent time observing animals at the London Zoo, which helped him capture their movement and detail with remarkable accuracy. Over time, he painted both domestic and wild animals, using oils, watercolours, and pastels, with dogs becoming his most recognised subject. He also created illustrations for books, cigarette cards, and prints. Wardle became known for how real his animals felt, and his work continues to be admired even today.

About Photogravure

Photogravure is a 19th-century intaglio printing technique in which an image is etched onto a copper plate and printed onto paper. It is known for its rich, velvety blacks and subtle gradations of tone. Popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s for high-quality book illustrations and art reproductions, it bridges photography and traditional printmaking, often resulting in images that resemble fine drawings or washes.

 

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Product Details:

SKUID: PVPGP001

Product Name: The Watchful Dog

Type: Photogravure Print

Artist: Arthur Wardle (1864–1949)

Artist's Signature: Available

Dimensions: Frame size: 9”x10”x.5”

Age: From early 1900s

Frame: The frame will differ. It will be new, made of teak wood, and fitted with acrylic instead of glass. This is done to prevent damage during transit.

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Shipping:

We ship all over India and overseas. For shipments out of India, any custom duty levied will be borne by the customer.

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Return Policy:

No returns or Exchanges
Please do check the dimensions before you buy.