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Edwin Douglas
The Shepherd's Collie

About the Item

Edwin Douglas (1848-1914) The Shepherd's Collie signed with monogram and dated '1877' (lower right) Oil on canvas Canvas Size - 21 x 21 in Framed Size - 28 x 28 in Provenance Anonymous sale; Doyle & Bonhams, New York, 15 February 2015, lot 164, sold for $17,000; The Collection of Charlie Watts. Charlie Watts, the legendary drummer of The Rolling Stones, was renowned not only for his musical prowess but also for his profound affection for animals, particularly Collies. He and his wife, Shirley, resided at Halsdon Manor in Devon, where they managed a stud farm for Arabian horses. Their estate was also home to numerous dogs, reflecting their deep commitment to animal welfare. Edwin James Douglas was a Scottish artist born in Edinburgh in 1848, best remembered for his charming and heartfelt paintings of animals—especially dogs and cattle. His work was a hit with the Victorian public and even caught the eye of Queen Victoria herself. As a child, Edwin was considered too delicate for regular schooling. Instead, he was encouraged to spend time outdoors, and he was given a pony to care for. This early bond with animals stayed with him for life. A visit to the Edinburgh Agricultural Show was a turning point—after seeing a small Brittany cow, he decided he wanted to be an animal painter. His father, a portrait artist named James Douglas, wasn’t too keen at first. But when Edwin had a serious accident at sixteen that ruled out a career in law, his father supported his artistic ambitions. Edwin’s first public success came early—he exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy at just seventeen. In 1871, he moved to London to be closer to the heart of the British art scene. Over the years, he showed 41 works at the Royal Academy. While he painted portraits and Scottish rural scenes, it was his animal paintings that really made his name. He had a special talent for capturing the personality of his subjects, especially dogs. Whether it was a collie, a setter, or a fox terrier, he gave each animal a sense of emotion and presence that made his work feel almost like storytelling. His style was often compared to that of Sir Edwin Landseer, a celebrated animal painter of the time. But while Landseer leaned into the dramatic, Douglas’s paintings were more down-to-earth and cozy. His work felt like it belonged in the everyday lives of his subjects—warm, intimate, and often gently humorous. In 1874, Douglas married Christiana Maria Martin. They had nine children and eventually settled in the village of Findon in West Sussex, where he built a house called Fox Down. Douglas loved animals not just as subjects but as companions—he bred Jersey cows and kept a range of animals that often appeared in his paintings. After Christiana died in 1901, he continued living at Fox Down until his own death in 1914. Today, Edwin Douglas’s paintings still have a loyal following. His works are part of collections at institutions like the Tate and the Royal Collection. Whether showing a loyal dog waiting outside a sickroom or a collie curled up by the fire, his paintings speak to the deep bond between people and animals. They’re not just images—they’re moments, memories, and emotions, all captured on canvas with a keen eye and a lot of heart.
  • Creator:
    Edwin Douglas (1848 - 1914, Scottish)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 28 in (71.12 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Stoke, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU446316407052

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