The bronze lions guarding Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square define the late career of Edwin Landseer, an artist whose mastery of animal portraiture captured the sentiment of 19th-century Britain. Born in London in 1802, Landseer achieved fame through an expansive portfolio that ranged from meticulously observed animal anatomy to anthropomorphic satire, eventually becoming a fixture of the Victorian cultural establishment.
Early Artistic Development
Landseer was the son of engraver John Landseer and his wife Jane Potts. Showing early aptitude, he studied under Benjamin Robert Haydon, who instructed him to perform animal dissections to master musculature and bone structure. By 1815, at age thirteen, he exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts, where he later became an Associate at twenty-four and a full Academician by 1831.
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His work, grounded in Romanticism, gained massive reach through engravings produced by his brother Thomas. His subjects were diverse, ranging from noble stags in works like The Monarch of the Glen to domestic scenes and canine studies such as A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society. He also produced allegorical works, including the legal satire Laying Down the Law. Queen Victoria became a primary patron, commissioning portraits of her family, household staff, and pets.
Scottish Influence
A visit to Scotland in 1824 significantly influenced his output. He documented the Highlands through paintings like The Illicit Highland Whisky Still and produced illustrations for Sir Walter Scott’s novels. This geographic focus provided the setting for his most mature achievements, balancing natural observation with the dramatic sensibilities characteristic of his era.
Mental Health and Final Years
In his late thirties, Landseer suffered a severe nervous breakdown, leading to a lifelong struggle with depression, hypochondria, and substance abuse. Despite being elected President of the Royal Academy in 1866, he declined the role. In 1872, his family had him declared legally insane. He died in London in 1873 and was buried at St Paul's Cathedral.
Fast facts
- Born: 1802, London
- Died: 1873, London
- Education: Royal Academy of Arts
- Notable Works: Monarch of the Glen, Laying Down the Law
- Knighted: 1850
- Burial site: St Paul's Cathedral
Questions readers ask
Why are some Newfoundland dogs called Landseers?
The name commemorates his frequent depiction of white and black Newfoundland dogs in rescue paintings, such as A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society.
What is the history of the lions at Trafalgar Square?
Landseer was commissioned by the government in 1858 to sculpt the four bronze lions at the base of Nelson's Column.
Achievements
- Notable work: Monarch of the Glen
- Notable work: A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society
- Notable work: Laying Down the Law
- Movement: Romanticism
