the 18th-century artwork, depicting a spanish pointer dog, was last sold in 1972 for £30,000 ($37,700), according to sotheby’s, which is managing the sale. it originally went to auction in 1802, fetching just £11 ($14).
titled the spanish pointer, this piece is considered stubbs’ earliest dog painting and one of his most famous works, according to sotheby’s.
“it is always very exciting when a painting of this caliber resurfaces after being ‘lost,’” said julian gascoigne, a senior director and british paintings specialist at sotheby’s, noting that the artwork has remained in a private collection for decades.
the painting has been publicly exhibited only once, in 1948 at london’s national gallery of sports and pastimes.
while the exact date of creation is uncertain, gascoigne estimates it was painted in 1766—a pivotal year for stubbs.
“that was the year the anatomy of the horse, a project he had worked on for nearly a decade, was finally published. this catapulted him to fame and solidified his status as the greatest animal painter of the 18th century,” gascoigne told cnn.
the spanish pointer gained significant popularity, with stubbs creating two versions and several copies being produced. the two main versions are nearly identical, differing only in slight variations in the landscape. the other version is housed in the neue pinakothek in munich.
the painting showcases the spanish pointer breed, introduced to england in the early 18th century. highly valued by sportsmen for their obedience and hunting abilities, these dogs were a favorite among hunters.
stubbs masterfully captured the dog’s defining characteristics, such as its wide nostrils and prominent bone structure at the back of the head.
“it demonstrates his versatility and deep understanding of animal anatomy across species,” said gascoigne.
the circumstances surrounding the painting’s commission highlight stubbs’ ambition and commercial acumen, which helped him become europe’s most esteemed animal painter of his time.
largely self-taught, stubbs’ background in anatomy played a crucial role in his ability to portray animals with remarkable accuracy. although he completed fewer than 400 paintings in his career, his skill earned him widespread recognition, particularly for his equine portraits.
his famous racehorse painting, whistlejacket, is displayed at london’s national gallery, and his works are also part of the tate britain collection.
the spanish pointer will be showcased in sotheby’s exhibition of old master and 19th-century paintings until early december.