Blenheim spaniel takes limelight in exhibition (From The Oxford Times)
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Blenheim spaniel takes limelight in exhibition
2:20pm Wednesday 7th November 2012 in News By Tom Jennings
David Harvey with the painting of the spaniel
AN exhibition featuring a painting of a dog with aristocratic conections is taking place at WR Harvey Antiques in Witney.
The Beauty and the Beasts exhibition includes English antique furniture from 1670 to 1830 and a collection of antique paintings.
A highlight is a painting by George Laporte of a King Charles Spaniel bred at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock.
The shop’s owner, David Harvey, said: “You can tell this was very much a loved dog, because it was wearing a red velvet collar with a gold padlock or clasp.
"It is also a sign of the esteem that these animals were held in that you would get one of the top animal painters to paint your favourite spaniel.”
The collection of animal paintings in the exhibition belongs to collectors John and Pat Stanley and can be viewed at the shop in Corn Street until Friday.
