Greyhounds and Their Keeper
n.d.
Medium
Graphite on cream laid paper, laid down on ivory card
Dimensions
32.7 × 50.9 cm (12 7/8 × 20 1/16 in.)
Classification
graphite
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
85003
Art Historical Context
Sawrey Gilpin's *Greyhounds and Their Keeper* the elegant bond between prized hunting dogs and their handler in a delicate graphite drawing on cream laid paper. Created around the late 18th century this British artist renowned for his animal portraits, the work exemplifies Gilpin's expertise in depicting sporting subjects. Greyhounds, symbols of speed and nobility in British aristocratic culture, are rendered with lifelike poise, highlighting their sleek forms and attentive gazes alongside the steadfast figure of their keeper. Executed in graphite—a versatile medium that allowed for precise s...