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Three animals

Unknown

1826

paint

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Romanticism Early 19th Century Animal

Dominant colour

Three animals is a 1826 paint by Unknown, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1826 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows three animals in a row. The top one is long and brown, with a long tail and short legs. It's standing on some greenery. The middle one is smaller, also brown, with a long, fluffy tail. It's holding something red and green in its mouth. The bottom one is black with a long, thin tail and is standing on some brown stuff. It's looking down. The painting is detailed, with lots of texture in the animals' fur. The colors are muted, with lots of browns and blacks. The background is plain, which makes the animals stand out. If you like this painting, you might also like other works from the Romanticism movement.

The story of this work

Overview

This artwork is one of twelve folios bound in a volume with marbled covers, depicting three animals: a pangolin, a brown squirrel, and a black squirrel. Created in 1826, the piece reflects the natural history interests of Lord Amherst, Governor General of India from 1823 to 1828, and his family. The Amhersts' involvement in natural history is further commemorated by a tree species named after them, the 'Flame Amherstia.'

Read the full account in the museum source.