A Distinguished Member of the Humane
Society
Dated 1831. The most famous of all
Landseers. On the painting is Paul Pyr bred
by Mr. Phillip Bacon and belonging to
Landseer’s cousin. A Stately white dog
with a black head and small blaze, waiting
to be of assistance to the unwary. The
work first exhibited in 1838. The
distinguished dog in the painting is
supposed to be "Bob" according to legend,
he was shipwrecked off the coast of
England. As a stray, he became well-
known along the London waterfront saving
people from drowning, There were twenty-
three rescues recorded spanning fourteen
years, He was declared a distinguished
member of the Royal Humane Society
which not only entitled him to a medal, but
also to food every day.
When Sir Edwin Landseer decided to paint
Bob in 1837, the dog could not be located,
Another Newfoundland, whom Landseer
had seen walking down a street in London
carrying a message for his mistress,
posed for the painting. His name was Paul
Pry. Paul Pry was taken to the artist's
studio and placed on a table in the position
that we see him in the picture, The artist
has placed the faithful dog against a
simple background; a dull threatening sky,
The light falls beautifully on his white coat.
We can almost feel his thick, soft fur and
hear him breathe, His dark head stands out
against the lightest part of the sky, Sea
gulls are flying about. The water laps
against the stone block where the iron ring
is fastened, The picture is quiet, but there
is a feeling that something is about to
happen, should there be a cry for help, Bob
would be off to save!
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Saved
In 1856 the Royal Academy exhibited “Saved” This painting is beautifully composed and once it was
engraved by Samual Cousins in 1859 it became as popular as “A Distinguished Member” Based on the
fame of Milo, a Newfoundland living with the keeper of the Egg Rock Lighthouse in Nahant, George B.
Taylor. In foggy weather Milo served as a kind of fog signal, barking at vessels as they approached Egg
Rock. Taylor claimed his dog was as useful as the light. Milo was credited with the rescue of several
children from drowning around the island. His fame spread across the Atlantic. Landseer, painted Milo’s
portrait, depicting a small child nestled between the dog's enormous paws. The model for the child was
Keeper Taylor's young son, Fred. Read More. This painting was engraved under four different titles and
various sizes by Currier & Ives, New York.
In 1856 the Royal Academy exhibited “Saved” This painting is beautifully composed and once it was
engraved by Samual Cousins in 1859 it became as popular as “A Distinguished Member” Based on the
fame of Milo, a Newfoundland living with the keeper of the Egg Rock Lighthouse in Nahant, George B.
Taylor. In foggy weather Milo served as a kind of fog signal, barking at vessels as they approached Egg
Rock. Taylor claimed his dog was as useful as the light. Milo was credited with the rescue of several
children from drowning around the island. His fame spread across the Atlantic. Landseer, painted Milo’s
portrait, depicting a small child nestled between the dog's enormous paws. The model for the child was
Keeper Taylor's young son, Fred. Read More. This painting was engraved under four different titles and
various sizes by Currier & Ives, New York.