Arthur Wardle (London, 1860-1949) was during his formative years largely a self-taught artist. Living amongst artists in Chelsea, London he benefited from the advice of friends and peers. A move to St. John’s Wood in North London culminated in Wardle’s developing an accentuated interest in the sketching and painting of animals and mythological subjects. Wardle’s paintings of animals were widely praised by critics of his time. He enjoyed substantial financial success with his paintings of dogs especially, and one may assume that the group portrait here shown would have been afforded similar success.
Recent Auction Sales
Bonhams, London: September 27, 2017 [Lot 00069] 19th Century European, Victorian and British Impressionist Art: Indolence (signed 'Arthur Wardle' lower right, oil on canvas, height 22 in.; width 36 in. / height 55.8 cm.; width 91.4 cm.) 35,000 GBP (46,891 USD)
Sotheby's, London: April 28, 2016 [Lot 00110] Collections & Collectors: Terriers on a Staircase (signed lower right: Arthur/ Wardle, oil on canvas, height 20.9 in.; width 15 in. / height 53 cm.; width 38 cm.) 21,250 GBP (30,994 USD)
Sotheby's, London: December 17, 2015 [Lot 00031] Victorian, PreRaphaelite & British Impressionist Art: Waiting for the Guns (signed lower left: Arthur Wardle, oil on canvas, height 18.1 in.; width 24 in. / height 46 cm.; width 61 cm.) 23,750 GBP (35,321 USD)
