Dignity and Impudence by Landseer: A Bloodhound and a Terrier

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A noble hound and a cheeky terrier

A large bloodhound rests its paws on the edge of its kennel, looking calm and serious. Beside it, a small white terrier peeks out with a lively, cheeky look. The title, Dignity and Impudence, tells us which is which.

Edwin Landseer painted it in 1839. It belongs to Tate, London.

Dignity

The bloodhound’s long ears and sad eyes — Dignity.

The bloodhound’s long ears, heavy jowls and sad, thoughtful eyes give it the air of a wise old gentleman.

The bloodhound’s large paws over the kennel edge — The paws.

Its large paws hang over the edge of the kennel.

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Impudence

The small white terrier peeking out — Impudence.

The little terrier, with its shaggy fur and bright eyes, seems to have squeezed in beside its big companion. Landseer often gave dogs human characters, and this pair became one of his most popular images.

Questions about Dignity and Impudence

Who painted it?

Edwin Landseer, in 1839.

Where is it?

Tate, London.

What breeds are the dogs?

A bloodhound and a small white terrier.

Why is it famous?

Its humorous contrast of two dog characters made it widely reproduced.

Sources and image credit

Wikimedia Commons: Dignity and Impudence

Public-domain reproduction of Dignity and Impudence (1839), via Wikimedia Commons. Detail images are crops of the same image; no reconstruction or upscaling.