Pets of the Belle Époque: “Victoria, Princess Royal, with Eos” by Sir Edwin Landseer, 1841

Victoria, Princess Royal, with Eos
August, 1841
Sir Edwin Landseer
Commissioned by Queen Victoria on the
event of Prince Albert's Birthday
The Royal Collection

On Wednesday, we examined a painting by Sir Edwin Landseer from 1841 which depicted Prince Albert’s favorite greyhound, Eos, in a very dignified pose. Here, we see another painting by Landseer from the same year. This time, Eos is peacefully curled up with Victoria, Princess Royal. Queen Victoria commissioned Landseer to paint this portrait of their eight-month old daughter with Prince Albert’s beloved Eos as a gift for the Prince’s birthday on August 26, 1841.  This tender scene shows the child to be alert and bright, her foot resting on the nose of the patient, loyal hound.

Also included in the painting is a barbary dove—perched on the arm of the green silk bergère chair upon which the infant princess rests. This dove was a symbol of childhood innocence, but also represented the vast assemblage of birds which Queen Victoria and Prince Albert houses in the Royal Aviary in the Home Park of Windsor.

By all accounts, Prince Albert was thrilled with the portrait which was displayed near the painting of Eos protecting his master’s belongings.

Pets of the Belle Époque: “Victoria, Princess Royal, with Eos” by Sir Edwin Landseer, 1841

Victoria, Princess Royal, with Eos
August, 1841
Sir Edwin Landseer
Commissioned by Queen Victoria on the
event of Prince Albert's Birthday
The Royal Collection

These days, I just seem to be constantly behind schedule.  So, it's another slow start today.  Let's get going by looking at some more Royal Family birthday gifts.  Queen Victoria's birthday has past, it was May 24th, but, let's look ahead to Prince Albert's.

Here, we see another painting by Landseer from the same year. This time, Eos is peacefully curled up with Victoria, Princess Royal. Queen Victoria commissioned Landseer to paint this portrait of their eight-month old daughter with Prince Albert’s beloved Eos as a gift for the Prince’s birthday on August 26, 1841.  This tender scene shows the child to be alert and bright, her foot resting on the nose of the patient, loyal hound.

Also included in the painting is a barbary dove—perched on the arm of the green silk bergère chair upon which the infant princess rests. This dove was a symbol of childhood innocence, but also represented the vast assemblage of birds which Queen Victoria and Prince Albert houses in the Royal Aviary in the Home Park of Windsor.

By all accounts, Prince Albert was thrilled with the portrait which was displayed near the painting of Eos protecting his master’s belongings. 

Painting of the Day: Prince Albert’s Greyhound, “Eos” by Sir Edwin Landseer, 1841

Eos
Sir Edwin Landseer, 1841
Commissioned by Queen Victoria as a gift
for Prince Albert
The Royal Collection

Those Royals and their dogs…it’s a long-standing love. Prince Albert and Queen Victoria always had dogs around the house and, by all accounts, loved each of them dearly. In 1841, Queen Victoria wanted to make a present to her husband of a painting of his favorite greyhound. Of course, she commissioned Sir Edwin Landseer who was well known for his skill in depicting dogs in his artwork.


Here, we see a lovely portrait of the greyhound that the prince called “Eos.” Greyhounds were a symbol of court life of the time, and Prince Albert had a particular fondness for this particular fellow. He described the dog as, “very friendly if there is plum-cake in the room … keen on hunting, sleepy after it, always proud and contemptuous of other dogs.”

Landseer has portrayed Eos in a fittingly dignified light as he stands in attention, guarding his master’s tall hat, gloves and stick. Prince Albert was thrilled with the gift. And, well he should have been. It’s a truly stunning painting.