English - Dummy Board, 19th century

English

Dummy Board: Young Woman Holding a Spaniel and a Basket of Roses, 19th century

Oil on panel, 96.5 x 34.5 cm (38 x 13 9/16 in.)

Commentary

Dummy boards, also known as picture boards or silent companions, were produced in the England and the Netherlands from the late 17 century through the 19th century to enliven an otherwise plain or uninteresting corner of a room. This girl holds a spaniel puppy and is one of a pair — its partner (F18n29) shows a boy holding a kitten.