Portrait of a Decorated Gentleman & His Dog, 1870s, Oil Painting, Framed

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Description

This dashing 19th-century officer has marched straight out of history, bringing with him all the gravitas of a man who … Read more This dashing 19th-century officer has marched straight out of history, bringing with him all the gravitas of a man who once inspected his troops and his hair pomade with equal precision.

this large 19th-century portrait arrived looking a touch broody (as distinguished men often do), but once our brilliant paint restorer from the university of amsterdam worked her magic, the whole scene lit up. Suddenly, details emerged that made us lean in closer — and then closer again. A loyal dog resting his head on the sitter’s knee, clearly his favourite confidant. A hat to the right, casually poised. And in the background, the unmistakable silhouette of a rifle. A gentleman of action, clearly.

our military man wears his golden epaulettes with effortless confidence. And the first medal? that’s no random decoration: it is the ordre national de la légion d’honneur — one of france’s most distinguished honours. He certainly moved in serious circles!

the warm, painterly tones give the whole work that classic old-world glamour — the kind that makes any room instantly feel more curated, more sophisticated, and ever so slightly aristocratic. The painting is signed on the right side beneath the hand, though the signature is not easily legible. It is also dated 1879. Hang him in your hallway and watch guests wonder if he’s a forgotten ancestor. This painting isn’t just a portrait — it’s a character study, a slice of storytelling, and a richly detailed centerpiece ready to anchor your gallery wall with charm, elegance, and a wink of military swagger.

dimensions: h 133.5 cm x w 117 cm x d 7 cm
materials & techniques: oil on canvas
provenance: france
period: 19th century

please keep in mind that in many cases we sell vintage and antique pieces. None of these pieces should be considered new or in perfect condition.

all of our vintage products show the rich beauty and history of their life with the knocks and bumps of many years of use. We restore our pieces so they will be clean and in a good working condition. However we try to minimise restoration to keep every piece as original as possible.

the physical object can differ slightly in colour from the object as presented online. We have made every effort to display colours accurately, but cannot guarantee that the pictures accurately reflect the colour of those goods in real life. This piece is designed in the style of the selected designer and/or manufacturer See less