an entertaining little fellow

www.nationalgallery.org.uk Sir Hugh Lane Bequest, 1917

You'd never guess that the person who painted this relaxed scene also painted at the front lines of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1).  The artist was John Lewis Brown, born in France of Scottish parents.  Brown was known for his sporting and military scenes, as well as his paintings of dogs and horses.  (You see he's got one of both of those here.)  I think that what we're looking at is a soldier playing with his dog for a peaceful moment, lending his hat for extra effect.  The look on the man's face is tender, tired, winsome, as if he were grateful for this small gentle time.  The dog just wants to please, because face it, they're love incarnate.  It's true that we've bred them to be this; what a pity we can't do that for ourselves in general.