Arthur Wardle

British 1864 - 1949

Arthur Wardle was an animal painter who exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1880 and 1935. He also exhibited at Suffolk Street, New Watercolour Society as well as at many other venues. Most of his works are of domestic and wild animals as well as sporting subjects.

He was capable of working in oils, watercolour or pastel. An exhibition of his works was held at Vicars Gallery in 1935. Born in London in 1864, the son of Alfred Wardle and Sarah Elizabeth Wardle, he studied art privately. He lived at 34 Alma Square, St John’s Wood, London NW8.

The Chantry Bequest, the Leeds City Art Gallery, The Victoria and Albert Museum and the Tate Gallery, amongst others, have bought Wardle’s paintings.

Wardle is known to have included people in some of his paintings but is best known for his accurate portrayal of animals. He always seemed to capture the characteristic expression of the particular breed he was painting, and was therefore the favourite painter amongst dog breeders at the turn of the century. Wardle did a series of paintings of dogs which were subsequently reproduced onto cigarette cards.

Wardle also did a great number of pastels and watercolours depicting African and Indian animals. The majority of Wardle’s paintings are signed.