Featured 19th Century Painter: John Henry Dolph (American 1835 – 1903)

  • April 05, 2021 10:13

  • Email
John Henry Dolph (American 1835 – 1903) ( aka JDolph ): Ornery Duo - Oil on canvas, 12 x 16 inches / Signed lower left

John Henry Dolph was a versatile and talented artist who became the foremost “cat-painter” in America. He left home (Fort Ann, New York) at a young age, after the death of his mother, and generated income for himself by doing decorative painting on coaches and carriages. He eventually made his way to Cleveland where he studied with Allen Smith, a prominent portrait painter. This training prepared him for a career in portraiture, which he pursued in Detroit. As common with artists of the time, Dolph went abroad to further hone his skills. He studied with the noted animal painter Louis Van Kuyek in Antwerp, and then spent some time in Paris before returning to American and settling in New York City. Following his return to America, he broadened his artistic range and was first recognized for his Hudson River School landscapes, domestic genre scenes and still-lifes. He turned from portraiture to concentrate on farmyard genre and animal life. However, artist Johne Henry Dolph became somewhat bored with this subject matter and began to paint cats. These paintings were popular and sold well. Having found his niche, from 1875 on, he concentrated on realistic, playful paintings of cats and dogs. 19th century artist Johne Henry Dolph helped organize the Society of American Artists and was an academician of the National Academy of Design. He exhibited at the National Academy, Brooklyn Art Association, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the Paris Salon. His works are exhibited in the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Portland Art Museum and the Newark Museum. 

Call now to talk about your interest in this John Henry Dolph (American 1835 – 1903) painting:  724-459-0612 - Jerry Hawk, Bedford Fine Art Gallery


  • Email

Bedford Fine Art Gallery

Welcome to Bedford Fine Art Gallery. Located in historic Bedford, Pennsylvania, the gallery offers a wide variety of works from some of the greatest and most well-known 19th century artists, early 20th century artists, and contemporary realism artists. You can see all of our available 19th century artwork on our Gallery page. Our current inventory boasts a wide diversity of subject matter from landscape, marine, still life, genre, American historical/political, sporting art, and animal themes. Our gallery features both American and European 19th century painters such as John Henry Dolph, George Hetzel, William Bromley III, and Barton Stone Hays, to name a few. To see more of our 19th century artists, please visit our Artists page. Good art is timeless and only you know what "wows" you. You know it when you see it and we hope you make that connection with a stunning painting from Bedford Fine Art Gallery. Thank you.

More Posts from Bedford Fine Art Gallery

YOUNG WOMAN WITH FLOWERS

Featured 19th Century Painter: JULES FREDERIC BALLAVOINE (FRENCH, C. 1844 – 1914)

  • February 24th, 2020 17:58

Ballavoine was born in Paris and was to become a highly recognized Parisian illustrator and painter. He received some ...

Read More...
TENDER MOMENTS

Featured 19th Century Painter: BARTON STONE HAYS (AMERICAN 1826 – 1914)

  • February 25th, 2020 10:09

Barton Stone Hays was born in Greenville, Ohio on April 5 1826. He was self-taught and was known, first for his ...

Read More...
COUNTRY ROAD

Featured 19th Century Painter: LOUIS HEITMULLER (GERMAN-AMERICAN 1863 - 1933)

  • February 25th, 2020 10:21

Louis (Ludwig) Heitmuller, a portraitist and landscapist, was born at Klein Palubin in Poland in 1863. He studied at ...

Read More...
SUNSET LANDSCAPE WITH CABIN

Featured 19th Century Painter: MAX WEYL (AMERICAN 1837 – 1914)

  • February 25th, 2020 10:31

Born in Germany, Weyl immigrated to Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1853 and in 1861 moved to Washington, D.C., where ...

Read More...