Robert Pollard after Sawrey Gilpin

DASH, A valuable Pointer in the possession of Coll Thornton

25.5 x 21.5 inches

Hunting dogs were highly prized in Georgian England and many became firm favourites of their wealthy owners. Dash is one such dog and Colonel Thornton clearly thought highly enough of him to commission both a portrait and print. The light coat of the pointer makes him easily distinguishable from his surroundings but more intriguing, and far from obvious at first, is the game bird hiding in the foliage bottom left.