Very old and beat, but charmingly deadpan hound portrait

This looks pretty darned old to me... Reminds me of Landseer's dog portraits (I WISH), but still charming.

The varnish cracking shows up lighter, but it kinda looks like most of the paint is still there.

I wondered if that "laddering" on the flat part of the wood frame was any indication of how it was milled - but looking closer, I think more likely the frame was textured gesso that cracked...

Any opinions welcome A real Buster Keaton charm-monster!

 

I do think it's charming, but it also looks scrubbed - which is to say that it looks like someone did a very harsh cleaning that damaged/removed some of the paint.

 

Sorry. no help on the artist. I have to agree it's pretty well abused.

If you're looking for breed to help ID, it's maybe a Norwegian Hygenhund Hound. Based on the ears which are too short for a Bassett.

 

Funny. I figured it for a FeedMe, or a Beggus Kitchenus.(LOL) Somebody obviously loved the painting or it wouldn't still be here.

 

Thanks More, OG and Evelyb

I haven't seen it in about a year... but I'm hoping it's just "cracqued" varnish.

Looking at the top of his head, where the varnish has lifted in spots there is still paint underneath (pinkish). The varnish is pretty yellow, making it hard to tell if that dark brown/oxblood color is the actual background.

As for his nose and the rest of him, I'll have to take another look.

 

Evelyb, it took many generations of experimenting to get just the perfect look. Cute as HELL and What's not to love.
PLEASE, Mommy, can we take him home..............................

 

That's a Begging face if I ever saw one. Please Mommy, I just ate the couch and the neighbor's rose bush.

 

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