Renowned dog artist's sketchbooks donated to The Kennel Club

A selection of sketchbooks and microfilm copies belonging to the renowned 19th century animalier artist, George Earl, have been acquired by The Kennel Club and are set to go on public display for the very first time.

George Earl, thought to be an early member of The Kennel Club, became known for his paintings of sporting dogs, and his canine artistry, alongside that of his brother, Thomas William Earl, and further descendants, earned the Earl family recognition world-wide with both dog enthusiasts and artists. The artwork of the family often attracted royal attention due to a shared interest and love of animals.

In 2022, The Kennel Club hosted The Art of the Earl Family exhibition which was the largest compilation of works from the family displayed together in history, and now five of George Earl's sketchbooks will be housed by The Kennel Club Art Collection, thanks to an important donation by the Earl-Tomaszewski family, Australian descendants of the artist.

The contents of the sketchbooks include preparatory sketches that can be traced to some of Earl's most well-known work, including The Field Trial, as well as Going North and Coming South.

Marianne Walker, Art Collection Curator at The Kennel Club, said: "George Earl's legacy has had an enormous impact across the art world as well as within the dog community, so we are delighted to have received such an important and prestigious donation.

"These pieces have never been exhibited to the public before, so we are looking forward to introducing his work to a whole new audience."

The sketchbooks will be displayed for the first time as part of the upcoming Drawings of Dogs exhibition, which will be open to the public from 9 October, at The Kennel Club Art Gallery at 10 Clarges Street, Mayfair, W1J 8AB, from Monday 10am to 4pm.

To book your visit, please visit artgallery@thekennelclub.org.uk or call 020 7518 1064.

To find out more about The Kennel Club Art Gallery, visit thekennelclub.org.uk/gallery or follow the Gallery's Instagram at instagram.com/thekennelclubukcollections.