A bloodhound and a Scotch terrier sitting in a kennel and looking out. Lithograph after E. H. Landseer.

The picture's composition is a parody of Dutch scenes in which a figure is framed by a window, and where a hand or an arm, like the paw of the dog illusionistically extends over the edge

The visual punning draws attention to the anthropomorphic qualities of the subject, both dogs are looking out, their attention is attracted by someone's approach: Grafton is unperturbed, while Scratch appears as if he might spring out and bark. The chain in the foreground emphasizes that the kennel belongs to the bloodhound

The two dogs belonged to Jacob Bell, who commissioned the original painting. The bloodhound was called Grafton, the Scotch terrier Scratch.

[Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified]

1 print : lithograph ; image 38.4 x 33.3 cm

Dignity and Impudence. By Sir Edwin Landseer, R. A.

R. Ormond, Sir Edwin Landseer, London 1982, p. 112

Wellcome Collection 40096i

After an oil painting by E. H. Landseer in the Tate Gallery London: "Dignity and Impudence" (1839)