Antiques for Sale > Paintings & Drawings

A late 19th century study of an apple-head Chihuahua shown seated on a Beaux-Arts style, coral-velvet upholstered sofa and gazing intently towards the viewer. A rare and early study of the beloved breed by this noted Swedish animalier and figurative painter.

After studying at the Royal Art Academy on Stockholm (1870-80), Carl Arsenius moved to Paris where he continued his studies at the Académie Julian with Jean-Paul Laurens. He subsequently moved to Chantilly, in France, where he lived and painted for the remainder of his life.

Over the course of a long career, Arsenius exhibited widely and with success and was the recipient of numerous prizes, medals and juried awards. He became a renowned animal painter and was much patronized by the aristocracy, including King Oscar II of Sweden for whom he painted many equestrian portraits. Carl Arsenius is well-listed in all relevant art reference works including Benezit and Thieme-Becker. His work may be found in prestigious private and public collections, including those of the Art Museum of Gothenburg and the National Museum in Stockholm.

Reference:
E. Benezit, Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs, et Graveurs, Jacques Busse, 1999 Nouvelle Édition, Gründ 1911, Vol. 1, p. 477; Thieme-Becker Allgemeines Lexikon der Bildenden Künstler von der Antike bis zu Gengenwart, Ulrich Thieme and Felix Becker, Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag 1992, Vol. 1/2, p. 157; Schurr, Les Petits Maitres de la Peinture Valeur de Demain; et al.