George Armfield

(British, 1808–1893)

Dignity and Impudence

, 1854

oil on canvas

signed G. Armfield and dated (lower right)

24 1/4 x 24 inches.

Property from the Collection of Frances G. Scaife

Provenance:

Connoisseur Gallery, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California (label verso)

George Armfield’s Dignity and Impudence is the purest example of nineteenth-century sentimentality in the Scaife collection. It quotes the eponymous painting by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, which is arguably the most famous dog painting of the nineteenth century. In Dignity and Impudence, Armfield draws attention to the dogs’ human characteristics, with the reserved attitude of the King Charles spaniel contrasting with the snarl of the bull terrier. Thus, the two dissimilar dogs and their diverging personalities conjure a moral allegory.

Framed: 33 x 32 3/4 inches.

Moderate deposits of surface dirt and dust; canvas is lined; network of stable craquelures throughout surface; pinpoint paint losses scattered through upper background and one pinpoint paint loss in lower center; one minor abrasion in lower center, above the pillow, and one additional minor abrasion in the spaniel's ear; two spots of inpainting visible under normal viewing conditions in upper background. Under UV light, small areas of inpainting scattered throughout background and along the upper edge; two small spots of inpainting in terrier's face; inpainting throughout the edge's of the spaniel's ears; the majority of the space between the two dog's faces is inpainted; areas of inpainting along the lower edge. Additional images available upon request.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Joseph Stanfield

Senior Vice President, Director, Fine Art

[email protected]312.280.1212

As the head of Hindman’s Fine Art Department, Mr. Stanfield is instrumental in bringing in major consignments from private collectors, estates, dealers and institutions. He has led the department to dozens of auction records, with a particular focus on Chicago Modernism. Mr. Stanfield has played an integral role in the development of the American & European and Post War & Contemporary Art categories, with the most successful year for the department in company history coming in 2021. He also oversaw a house record for total sales for a week of Fine Art auctions in May 2022. Mr. Stanfield is also the lead auctioneer for the Fine Art sales at Hindman. Prior to returning to Hindman in 2019, he was at Toomey & Co. for eight years, where he oversaw important collections including the estate of Candice B. Groot, the collection of Governor Jim Thompson, and the estate of Robert E. Beck. Mr. Stanfield earned a BA from the University of Kansas where he studied Art History.

Madalina Lazen

VP Head of Department, Old Masters & 19th Century European Art

[email protected]561.833.8053

Ms. Lazen comes to Freeman's with over 25 years of experience in the fine art industry. She joined the firm in 2022 after working as Vice President, Specialist 19th Century European Paintings at Sotheby’s New York, spending a total of nearly 14 years at the auction house. Ms. Lazen also served as Director 19th Century Paintings at Bonhams New York for nearly ten years. Her focus is on Old Masters, 19th Century European Art, and Impressionism.

We are open for pick-up Monday-Friday: 9am-4:30pm.

For questions about shipping or packing, please contact [email protected] or see our Shipping/Packing page.

George Armfield

(British, 1808–1893)

Dignity and Impudence

, 1854

oil on canvas

signed G. Armfield and dated (lower right)

24 1/4 x 24 inches.

Property from the Collection of Frances G. Scaife

Provenance:

Connoisseur Gallery, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California (label verso)

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Palm Beach Fine Art, Including Outsider Art from the Collection of Edith S. Peiser, Boca Raton, Florida

Dignity and Impudence

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup