Large 19th C Portrait of a Decorated Gentleman & His Dog, 1879

Meet the Major: the man, the myth, the moustache

This dashing 19th-century officer has marched straight out of history and into our collection, bringing with him all the gravitas of a man who once inspected his troops and his hair pomade with equal precision. Painted with the kind of crisp attention to detail that only a proud military sitter (and perhaps an even prouder painter) could demand, he radiates quiet authority — the sort that gently reminds you to stand up straight.

Epaulettes & One Very Good Dog
This large 19th-century portrait arrived looking a touch broody (as distinguished men often do), but once our brilliant paint restorer from the University of Amsterdam worked her magic, the whole scene lit up.

Suddenly, details emerged that made us lean in closer — and then closer again. A loyal dog resting his head on the sitter’s knee, clearly his favourite confidant. A hat to the right, casually poised. And in the background, the unmistakable silhouette of a rifle. A gentleman of action, clearly.

We don’t know his exact rank, but let’s just say his gaze suggests he wasn't the one peeling potatoes. Our military man wears his golden epaulettes with effortless confidence. And the first medal? That’s no random decoration: it is the Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur — one of France’s most distinguished honours. He certainly moved in serious circles!

The warm, painterly tones give the whole work that classic Old-World glamour — the kind that makes any room instantly feel more curated, more sophisticated, and ever so slightly aristocratic. The painting is signed on the right side beneath the hand, though the signature is not easily legible. It is also dated 1879.

Hang him in your hallway and watch guests wonder if he’s a forgotten ancestor. This painting isn’t just a portrait — it’s a character study, a slice of storytelling, and a richly detailed centerpiece ready to anchor your gallery wall with charm, elegance, and a wink of military swagger.

Every gallery wall deserves a leading man — and this officer came fully prepared for the role.