Edwin Landseer's Alpine Mastiffs: The Teenage Masterpiece That Invented the Brandy Barrel Myth
Created in 1820 by Edwin Landseer, the artwork titled Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler is displayed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. This canvas, measuring 189 x 237 cm and weighing almost 82 kg, captivates viewers with its striking red details. Coming from a family of artists, Landseer became an exhibitor at the Royal Academy as a teenager and a full member by age 24. The piece was influenced by rescue dogs from St. Bernard Pass, helping to popularize the depiction of St. Bernards with brandy barrels. Landseer also produced works like Saved (1856) and Attachment (1829). He was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1850 but faced battles with depression and alcohol, passing away at 71 in 1873; the New York Times remarked, 'Sir Edwin Landseer... is dead now in the flesh.'
Key facts
- Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler was painted by Edwin Landseer in 1820.
- The painting is in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
- It measures 189 x 237 cm (74 7/16 x 93 5/16 in.) and weighs nearly 82 kg (180 lbs) with its frame.
- Edwin Landseer was one of four artist children of engraver John Landseer; his brother Thomas was also an engraver.
- Landseer became a Royal Academy member at age 24.
- St. Bernard of Menthon established a hospice and monastery at St. Bernard Pass in 1050; monks began using Alpine Mastiffs for rescue around 1660.
- The painting invented the myth of St. Bernards carrying brandy barrels around their necks.
- Queen Victoria knighted Landseer in 1850; he died at 71 in 1873.
Entities
Artists
- Edwin Landseer
- John Landseer
- Thomas Landseer
- St. Bernard of Menthon
- Queen Victoria
- Sir Walter Scott
Institutions
- National Gallery of Art
- Royal Academy of Arts
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- National Galleries of Scotland
- St. Louis Art Museum
- New York Times
- WikiArt
Locations
- Washington, DC
- USA
- London
- UK
- Edinburgh
- St. Louis
- MO
- Alps
- St. Bernard Pass
- Italy
- France
- Switzerland
- Germany
- England