Charles Verlat

CHARLES VERLAT (Antwerp, 1824-1890).
"Two dogs and a cat".1870.
Oil on panel.
Signed and dated in the lower margin.
Measurements: 37.5 x 29 cm; 48.5 x 40 cm (frame).

During his life, Charles Verlat was recognized as an important painter of animals. In this scene of interior, we observe the lively and realistic way in which he captures the anatomies and the attitudes of the animals: the big dog adopts an attitude of guardian of the domestic order and with his eyes he seems to reprimand the small canine that wants to attack the poor cat perched on a chair. In this type of scene, in which the animals interact, the influence of the Flemish animalistic painters of the golden century can be appreciated.

Charles Verlat was a Belgian painter, watercolorist, engraver, art educator and director of the Antwerp Academy. He painted many subjects and was particularly known as an animal painter and portraitist. He also created orientalist works, genre scenes, including several singers, religious compositions and still lifes. He was a professor of drawing and director of the Antwerp Academy when Vincent van Gogh spent a brief period as a student at the Academy in 1886. The two men discussed van Gogh's unconventional drawing style. He began to participate in the salons of his day and sent his first major picture, "Pippin the Short One Killing a Lion" to the Antwerp triennial salon in 1843. His early paintings were inspired by the Belgian Romantic school and dealt with important events in Belgian history. He also painted religious subjects and his Pietà of 1866 was so successful that it earned him the distinction of being made a knight of the French Legion of Honor. He was highly esteemed by the Grand Duke of Saxony and taught art classes to the Grand Duke's daughters. He later became acting director of the School of Art. The Grand Duke awarded him the Order of the White Falcon. He directed the decorations for the palace of Prince Philip, Count of Flanders in Brussels.