JOHN FERNELEY SENIOR (THRUSSINGTON 1782-1860)

John Ferneley Senior was a regular visitor to Keith Hall and in 1824 wrote of his time there: ‘I have had more fun than I ever had.. am as anctious to begin to paint’ (sic; G. Paget, The Melton Mowbray of John Ferneley, Leicester, 1931, p. 46). The present picture, dated the same year, shows the 7th Earl of Kintore’s setters, placed in a landscape in front of the property. The sentimental portrayal of the family dogs offers a charming image of country life and asserts a familiar and continuing endearment towards domestic pets.