Frances Caroline Fairman (1839 – February 1923) was a British

watercolourist Watercolor (American English) or watercolour (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences), also ''aquarelle'' (; from Italian diminutive of Latin 'water'), is a painting method"Watercolor may be as old as art itself, going back to the S ...

, a painter in oils, and an

illustrator An illustrator is an artist who specializes in enhancing writing or elucidating concepts by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text or idea. The illustration may be intended to clarify complicate ...

. In her lifetime she was best known for her

canine Canine may refer to: Zoology and anatomy * Animals of the family Canidae, more specifically the subfamily Caninae, which includes dogs, wolves, foxes, jackals and coyotes ** ''Canis'', a genus that includes dogs, wolves, coyotes, and jackals ** Do ...

portraits, some of which were commissioned by

royalty Royalty may refer to: * the mystique/prestige bestowed upon monarchs ** one or more monarchs, such as kings, queens, emperors, empresses, princes, princesses, etc. *** royal family, the immediate family of a king or queen-regnant, and sometimes h ...

and

aristocracy Aristocracy (; ) is a form of government that places power in the hands of a small, privileged ruling class, the aristocracy (class), aristocrats. Across Europe, the aristocracy exercised immense Economy, economic, Politics, political, and soc ...

. She was known as "the Lady Landseer" for the quality of her work. She travelled to the Americas, France, and Switzerland, returning with watercolour

landscape A landscape is the visible features of an area of land, its landforms, and how they integrate with natural or human-made features, often considered in terms of their aesthetic appeal.''New Oxford American Dictionary''. A landscape includes th ...

sketches. Fairman was born in

Kent Kent is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Essex across the Thames Estuary to the north, the Strait of Dover to the south-east, East Sussex to the south-west, Surrey to the west, and Gr ...

and studied under Louis Henri Deschamps in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

, but for most of her life lived and worked in

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

. When she was in her late 50s, she was taken to court and fined for attempting to prevent a

hansom cab The hansom cab is a kind of horse-drawn carriage designed and patented in 1834 by Joseph Hansom, an architect from York. The vehicle was developed and tested by Hansom in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England. Originally called the Hansom safet ...

driver from whipping his horse in

Fulham Road Fulham Road is a street in London, England, which comprises the A304 and part of the A308. Overview Fulham Road ( the A219) runs from Putney Bridge as "Fulham High Street" and then eastward to Fulham Broadway, in the London Borough of Hamm ...

, London, and for striking the cabman with her hand after he had hit her.

Life

Frances Caroline "Fanny" Fairman was baptised on 20 March 1839 at

Lynsted Lynsted is a village in Lynsted with Kingsdown civil parish in the Swale borough of Kent, England. The village is situated south of the A2 road between Faversham and Sittingbourne and the nearest M2 junction is Faversham three miles east. L ...

, Kent. She spent most of her working life in London. She started her life at Millers House, Lynsted, where she lived with her parents and five servants. The 1851 census recorded her as a scholar at twelve years old, at 30 Linsted Street, Lynsted, Kent, with her parents and four house servants. By 1861 she was living with her mother at 7 Cambridge Square,

Paddington Paddington is an area in the City of Westminster, in central London, England. A medieval parish then a metropolitan borough of the County of London, it was integrated with Westminster and Greater London in 1965. Paddington station, designed b ...

, with one servant. No profession was declared for either woman. The 1871 Census shows her as a guest of Colonel B. Hall, a gunpowder manufacturer, at Syndale House,

Ospringe Ospringe is a village and area of Faversham in the English county of Kent. It is also the name of a civil parish, which since 1935 has not included the village of Ospringe. The village lies on the Roman road Watling Street (nowadays the A2 ...

, Kent. In 1891 she was living at 4 Culversden Road, Drysdale,

Streatham Streatham ( ) is a district in south London, England. Centred south of Charing Cross, it lies mostly within the London Borough of Lambeth, with some parts extending into the neighbouring London Borough of Wandsworth. Streatham was in Surrey ...

, London, with one servant, describing herself as an artist and watercolourist. The 1911 Census found her living alone at 4 Avenue Studios, Fulham, London, describing herself as an artist of dog portraits, working independently at home. In 1873, Fairman and her mother spotted a false

reference A reference is a relationship between objects in which one object designates, or acts as a means by which to connect to or link to, another object. The first object in this relation is said to ''refer to'' the second object. It is called a ''nam ...

which had been presented by the "tall, well-dressed" James Bartley when applying for the position of butler at their Kensington house. Bartley had invented a former employer, the Hon. Mrs G. Sutton, and had forged a letter purporting to be from her. Bartley pled guilty in court and was fined £15 10s. () with the alternative of imprisonment. He paid the fine. In 1887, Fairman inherited a legacy from her uncle George Gosselin of Bristol. HansomCab

The ''Daily Telegraph & Courier'' said that Fairman had "the artistic temperament". On 8 November 1898, an incident with a horse, a

and a driver named Childs landed her in court. Mr A. Lincoln Reed appeared for the plaintiffs the Co-operative Cab Company who were claiming for damage to the cab and horse.

The horse became restive [on
Fulham Road Fulham Road is a street in London, England, which comprises the A304 and part of the A308. Overview Fulham Road ( the A219) runs from Putney Bridge as "Fulham High Street" and then eastward to Fulham Broadway, in the London Borough of Hamm ...
] ... and an application of the whip became necessary. The defendant [Fairman] then ran up from behind and sprang at the horse's head, catching the off-side rein, and crying, "You brute; leave the horse alone." The suddenness of her rush caused the horse to rear and plunge towards the railings, over which the near-side rein was thrown. "In order to save his life," as he said in evidence, Childs left his '' dickey''. Defendant released her hold, and immediately the animal bolted, eventually colliding with a four-wheeled cab, and overturning the hansom. Childs requested the lady to go with him to the scene of the accident, and as she refused took her by the sleeve to prevent her leaving the spot. A police officer who came up declined to arrest the driver for assault, and would not agree with Miss Fairman that he was drunk, nor did he find any marks of the ill-treatment on the horse. Proceedings were taken out against the driver before a police
magistrate The term magistrate is used in a variety of systems of governments and laws to refer to a civilian officer who administers the law. In ancient Rome, a '' magistratus'' was one of the highest ranking government officers, and possessed both judi ...
, but the charge was dismissed, the justice upon that occasion telling Miss Fairman "that her action had caused all the trouble." ''Mr Reed'': Have you ever driven a hansom cab in the streets of London? ''Defendant'': As you ask me – I have. On one occasion I had a drunken driver, and I had to take the reins myself. I have taken the reins on another occasion, the driver then being drunk also. ''Mr Reed:'' Did you mount the dickey on these occasions? ''Defendant:'' No, I drove from inside. ''Mr Reed:'' You were lucky not to have met with an accident; don't you think so? ''Defendant:'' Oh, I got through it all right. ''Mr Reed'': When the cabman hit you, what did you do? ''Defendant:'' Struck him with the other hand. ''(Laughter)'' ... Eventually the jury brought in a verdict for plaintiffs, assessing the damages at £39 (). (''Daily Telegraph & Courier'' (London), 1899)

Fairman died aged 85 in

Chelsea, London Chelsea is an area in West London, England, due south-west of Kilometre zero#Great Britain, Charing Cross by approximately . It lies on the north bank of the River Thames and for postal purposes is part of the SW postcode area, south-western p ...

. Her funeral on 7 February 1923 was a

requiem mass A Requiem (Latin: ''rest'') or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead () or Mass of the dead (), is a Mass of the Catholic Church offered for the repose of the souls of the deceased, using a particular form of the Roman Missal. It is u ...

Brompton Oratory Brompton Oratory, also known as the London Oratory, is a neo-classical late-Victorian Catholic parish church in the Brompton area of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, neighbouring Knightsbridge, London. Its name stems from Oratorian ...

Queen Alexandra Alexandra of Denmark (Alexandra Caroline Marie Charlotte Louise Julia; 1 December 1844 – 20 November 1925) was List of British royal consorts, queen-consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India, from 22 Januar ...

sent a wreath with the message, "In deepest remembrance of a great animal artist. We shall all miss her greatly." Fairman had painted

Edward VII Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 22 January 1901 until Death and state funeral of Edward VII, his death in 1910. The second child ...

fox terrier Fox Terriers are two different breeds of the terrier dog type: the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier. Both of these breeds originated in the 19th century from a handful of dogs who are descended from earlier varieties of United Kingdo ...

Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (12 or 13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in a civil war. He ...

, who "followed the ing's/nowiki> funeral procession to the grave".

Career

Fairman was trained in

by Louis Henri Deschamps (1846–1902). Known as "the Lady Landseer" for her animal paintings, she was a

, painter in oils, and

. Her professional signature was FCF or Frances Fairman, but in newspapers she was usually named as Frances C. Fairman. She had membership of the

Society of Lady Artists The Society of Women Artists (SWA) is a British art body dedicated to celebrating and promoting fine art created by women. It was founded as the Society of Female Artists (SFA) in 1855, offering women artists the opportunity to exhibit and sell ...

. Her home and work address was 4 The Avenue Studios, 76 Fulham Road, South-West London. She flourished from around 1864 until 1917. At some point before 1889, Fairman travelled to the

Americas The Americas, sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North America and South America.''Webster's New World College Dictionary'', 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. When viewed as a sing ...

. She went to

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

, she visited

Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

before 1897, and she brought back and exhibited works depicting both of those locations. She also made watercolour sketches in Switzerland. In 1917 her picture ''We owe it to King Edward'' was exhibited at the

Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London, England. It has a seating capacity of 5,272. Since the hall's opening by Queen Victoria in 1871, the world's leading artists from many performance genre ...

, where the Ladies' Kennel Association dog show was being held. As a member, Fairman helped to support the association financially, and the picture was sold in aid of the Association. British West Indies scene by Frances C. Fairman.jpg, ''

British West Indies The British West Indies (BWI) were the territories in the West Indies under British Empire, British rule, including Anguilla, the Cayman Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Antigua and Barb ...

'', before 1889 View near Amsteg by Frances C. Fairman.jpg, View near

Amsteg Silenen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland. Geography Silenen municipality comprises the villages of Silenen (divided into three parts, Dörfli, Russ, Rusli), Amsteg, and Acherli, besides numerous smaller hamlets or dispersed ...

with Uri-Rothstock in the distance, 1800s View from Star and Garter Richmond by Frances C. Fairman.jpg, ''View from Star and Garter, Richmond Hill'', 1800s

Royal commissions

Fairman "painted nearly 30 royal pets in her time", including Edward VII's fox terrier, Caesar, and she had the use of a studio at

Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace () is a royal official residence, residence in London, and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and r ...

. The magazine ''Vote'' said that she had "painted many portraits of the favourite dogs of

Queen Victoria Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in January 1901. Her reign of 63 year ...

King Edward King Edward may refer to: Monarchs of England and the United Kingdom * Edward the Elder (–924) * Edward the Martyr (–978) * Edward the Confessor (–1066) * Edward I of England (1239–1307) * Edward II of England (1284–1327) * Edward III o ...

, and

, and ... had attained a considerable reputation as an artist of animal life". In 1897, The

Duke Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of Royal family, royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and above sovereign princes. As royalty or nobi ...

and

Duchess of York Duchess of York is the principal courtesy title held by the wife of the Duke of York. Three of the eleven Dukes of York either did not marry or had already assumed the throne prior to marriage, while two of the Dukes married twice; therefore, th ...

, Princess Victoria and the

Princess of Wales Princess of Wales (; ) is a title used since the 14th century by the wife of the Prince of Wales. The Princess is the apparent future queen consort, as "Prince of Wales" is a title reserved by custom for the heir apparent to the Monarchy of the ...

visited the Clifford Galleries in London in order to view ''The Dog Show on Paper and Canvas'', an exhibition of Fairman's canine portraits. In 1910 Fairman was commissioned to paint four dogs, by the Queen. In 1911, the ''Pall Mall Gazette'' described Fairman thus:

Painters of popular pets are greatly appreciated if their work is of merit. Miss Frances Fairman ... belong to the select few who have large circles of admirers. ollowing her studies in Parisshe became quickly known, and was soon overwhelmed with work. She is the only woman painter living who painted Queen Victoria's dogs by command. She is particularly happy in lifelike pictures of Queen Alexandra's pet Japanese spaniels Togo and Haru. These dogs, along with six others since dead, were a special present sent to Queen Alexandra by the
Mikado Mikado may refer to: * Emperor of Japan or Arts and entertainment * ''The Mikado'', an 1885 comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan * The Mikado (1939 film), ''The Mikado'' (1939 film), an adaptation of the opera, directed by Victor Schertzinger * ...
. Miss Fairman painted a pet dog of the late
Duke of Clarence Duke of Clarence was a substantive title created three times in the Peerage of England. The title Duke of Clarence and St Andrews has also been created in the Peerage of Great Britain, and Duke of Clarence and Avondale and Prince Leopold, Duke ...
, which became King Edward's pet after the duke's death. She also painted two of Princess Victoria's favourite dogs, these pictures being Queen Alexandra's birthday gifts to her daughter. Numerous well-known society people are glad to have their dogs immortalised by Miss Fairman's deft brush. Sir Dighton and the late Lady Probyn were among her staunchest admirers. Princess Wrede insisted on her coming to Paris to paint her famous Japs. Lady Hilda Moseley, Lady Samuelson, H.H. the Ranee of Sarawak (Lady Brooke), Lady Evelyn Ewart, Lord Ducie,
Lord Cathcart Earl Cathcart is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. History The title was created in 1814 for the soldier and diplomat William Cathcart, 1st Viscount Cathcart. The Cathcart family descends from Sir Alan Cathcart, who sometime bet ...
and Princess Duleep Singh are a few of the most constant patrons of Miss Fairman. Her wonderful facility in reproducing a dog's expression is probably found in her being able to make a constant study of them, for she has a kennel of delightful
pug The Pug is a breed of dog with the physically distinctive features of a wrinkly, short-muzzled face, and curled tail. An ancient breed, with roots dating back to 400 B.C., they have a fine, glossy coat that comes in a variety of colors, most ...
s in her studio. (''Pall Mall Gazette'', 1911)

In 1903, Fairman produced a

photogravure Photogravure (in French ''héliogravure'') is a process for printing photographs, also sometimes used for reproductive intaglio printmaking. It is a photo-mechanical process whereby a copper plate is grained (adding a pattern to the plate) and ...

of one of her politically themed pieces, ''The agreement: England and Japan, 1902''. The ''Globe'' described it thus: "A bulldog and a

Japanese spaniel The Japanese Chin (, ), also known as the Japanese Spaniel, is a toy dog breed, being both a lap dog and a companion dog, with a distinctive heritage. History While most believe that the source breed for the Japanese Chin originated in Chin ...

standing side by side with a Chinese ivory

pagoda A pagoda is a tiered tower with multiple eaves common to Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most often Buddhist, but some ...

behind them. The reproduction is very successful in retaining the effect of the original painting, and gives a good suggestion of Miss Fairman's work. A proof of the engraving has been accepted by the Queen". The original painting was sold as part of the late

Mario Buatta Mario Buatta (October 20, 1935 – October 15, 2018) was an American interior decorator. Early life and education Buatta was born in West New Brighton, Staten Island, West Brighton, Staten Island, New York (state), New York, the son of Felice Buat ...

’s collection in 2020. Spot by Frances C. Fairman.jpg, ''Spot, Queen Victoria's Short-haired terrier'', 1895 Queen Victorias favourite Collie by Frances C. Fairman.jpg, ''Queen Victoria's favourite Collie'', engraving after Fairman, 1915 Boxer Rebellion by Frances C. Fairman.jpg, ''The agreement: England and Japan'', 1903

Book illustrations

* * * Painting ''King Charles spaniels, ch. Clevedon Magnet, ch. Clevedon Comus, ch. Clevedon Pharaoh, ch. Clevedon Cedric'' (1907), in * Painting ''The bull bitch ch. Silent Duchess'' (1911), in . The new book of the dog - a comprehensive natural history of British dogs and their foreign relatives, with chapters on law, breeding, kennel management, and veterinary treatment (1911) (14577162317).jpg, ''Silent Duchess'', from Leighton (1911) Four King Charles Spaniels and a pearl by Frances C. Fairman.jpg, ''King Charles Spaniels'', from Leighton (1907)

Exhibitions

Fairman's works were exhibited in

from 1865 onwards. * Dudley Gallery Art Society,

Egyptian Hall The Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, London, was an exhibition hall built in the ancient Egyptian style in 1812, to the designs of Peter Frederick Robinson. The Hall was a considerable success, with exhibitions of artwork and of Napoleonic era re ...

: One watercolour. "F.C. Fairman ... among those who send promising or attractive sketches". (''Illustrated London News'', 1886). * Dudley Gallery Art Society, Egyptian Hall: ''Bob, the first prize old English Sheepdog'', also portraits, flower-study and animal portraits, all watercolours (1889). * Dudley Gallery: various works (1890). * Society of Lady Artists: Various watercolours of fruit and flowers (1892). * Dudley Gallery Art Society, Egyptian Hall: ''A couple of owls and dead mouse'', watercolour, (1890). "Decided merit". * Art exhibition at Victoria Hall,

Bracknell Bracknell () is a town and civil parish in Berkshire, England, the westernmost area within the Greater London Built-up Area, Greater London Urban Area and the administrative centre of the borough of Bracknell Forest. It lies to the east of Re ...

: ''Three in a tub'', oil (1894). *

Society of British Artists The Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) is a British art body established in 1823 as the Society of British Artists, as an alternative to the Royal Academy. History The RBA commenced with twenty-seven members, and took until 1876 to reach fi ...

: ''Contemplating the fate of China'' and ''Three Japanese spaniels and a broken China doll'' (1896). *

: Various canine portraits, including ''Miss Bowyer Smythe's Scotch dogs'' and ''Champion dachshund Pterodactyl'' (1896). ''Miss Bowyer Smythe's Scotch dogs'' is a very sympathetic study of canine characteristics". * Clifford's, Bond Street, London: An exhibition, ''The Dog Show on Paper and Canvas'', dedicated to Fairman's dog portraits (1897). *

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition The Summer Exhibition is an open art exhibition held annually by the Royal Academy in Burlington House, Piccadilly in central London, England, during the months of June, July, and August. The exhibition includes paintings, prints, drawings, sc ...

: ''The platter clean: portraits of three Japanese dogs'', 448, oil (1897). * Society of Lady Artists: ''Gilda and Mitzu'', watercolour (1898). * Graves Galleries,

Pall Mall, London Pall Mall is a street in the St James's area of the City of Westminster, Central London. It connects St James's Street to Trafalgar Square and is a section of the regional A4 road (England), A4 road. The street's name is derived f ...

: Various canine portraits, including ''United we stand'', watercolour (1898). * Royal Academy Summer Exhibition: ''Three for the red'', 632, oil (1899). * Society of Women Artists: Various works, including "many of her faithfully-depicted dogs" (1899). * Grafton Galleries, Women's international Art Club: Four canine portraits, including ''Tina'' (1901). * Dudley Gallery Art Society, Water Colour Society: Two "clever dog studies" (1901). * No.10 Ryder Street, St James's, London: Various dog portraits in an exhibition devoted to dogs (1901). "Miss F.C. Fairman, both in oil and watercolour, is celebrated for her proficiency in portraying well-known figures in the canine world". * Mendoza Galleries,

St James's St James's is a district of Westminster, and a central district in the City of Westminster, London, forming part of the West End of London, West End. The area was once part of the northwestern gardens and parks of St. James's Palace and much of ...

, London: Various watercolours, "excellent work" (1903). * Society of Women Artists: ''Smooth Chow Yen How'', watercolour (1902). "An aptitude for animal painting ... Miss F.C. Fairman's portraits of dogs". * Society of Women artists: "The best things are Miss F.C. Fairman's large painting of a Newfoundland dog ..." (1903). * Society of Women Artists: Various works (1904). Fairman was described as "popular ... portraitist of dogs". * Dore Gallery,

Bond Street Bond Street in the West End of London links Piccadilly in the south to Oxford Street in the north. Since the 18th century the street has housed many prestigious and upmarket fashion retailers. The southern section is Old Bond Street and the l ...

, London: A collection titled ''Dogs of all nations'' (1904). * Grafton Gallery: "Three of her speaking-dog portraits" (1904). * Dore Gallery: Various works (1905). * Society of Women Artists: "Clever studies of animals" (1905). * Society of Woman Artists: Various works (1906). Two owls with a mouse by Frances C. Fairman.jpg, ''A couple of owls and a dead mouse'', 1890 Bull terrier puppy with broken Chinese doll by Frances C. Fairman.jpg, ''Contemplating the fate of China'', 1894

Collections

Royal Collection Trust The Royal Collection of the British royal family is the largest private art collection in the world. Spread among 13 occupied and historic royal residences in the United Kingdom, the collection is owned by King Charles III and overseen by the ...

: Six canine portraits including ''Roy'' (1897), oil on canvas. This picture is displayed at

Osborne House Osborne House is a former royal residence in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom. The house was built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a summer home and rural retreat. Albert designed the house in the style ...

. *

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty The National Trust () is a heritage and nature conservation charity and membership organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Trust was founded in 1895 by Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley to "promote the ...

: ''A longhorn'' (1864), ''Gerbils'' (1872), and ''Chinchillas'' (1875). *

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, a city in the United States * Richmond, London, a town in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, England * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town ...

Borough Art Collection: ''View from Star and Garter, Richmond Hill'' (undated). Longhorn by Frances C. Fairman.jpg, ''A longhorn'', 1864 Gerbils in the zoological garden by Frances C. Fairman.jpg, ''Gerbils'', 1872 Chinchillas by Frances C. Fairman.jpg, ''Chinchillas'', 1875

Reviews

* "Of the more striking pictures t Dudley Gallery/nowiki>, above the level of the rest of the exhibition, we may mention ... F.C. Fairman's ''See what I can do'' and ''Le Premier déjeuner'' – both capital studies of cat and dog life". (''Illustrated London News'', 1889). (Note: The ILN wrongly gives Fairman the title, "Mr", here.) * "A couple of drawings t Dudley Gallery/nowiki> by Miss F.C. Fairman seem to me to promise well". (''Truth'', 1889). * "The contributions of Miss F.C. Fairman t Dudley Gallery/nowiki> are diversified enough in subject, as she exhibits portraits, a flower study and some animals. ''Bob, the first-prize old English sheepdog'' is a most excellent study, full of the character of those animals which, as we are aware, sometimes exhibit an intelligence almost human. Another of Miss Fairman's drawings, ''A wild Florida magnolia'', is a careful study of a single blossom and some buds of the beautiful plant". (''The Queen'', 1889). * "Miss F.C. Fairman, Sunninghill, can depict dogs ... with exceeding power and fidelity, as was shown in her large oil painting ''Three in a tub'', but we were a trifle doubtful about the breed of the young hound pups which were painted with such skill: are they rough beagles, or Bassets? the faces appeared a trifle ''snipy'' for either breed". (''Reading Mercury'', 1894). * "Capital canine studies, boldly painted and noteworthy for varied expression". (''Morning Post'', 1896). * "A most able study in ''Contemplating the fate of China'' ... The artist has here introduced a comic element into her very able painting of Mrs Hanlon's Japanese spaniels. The animals are apparently regarding with surprise a Chinese doll prostrate on the table. The dogs are full of character and painted in masterly fashion". (''The Queen'', 1896). * "Miss Fairman, who has recently been honoured with commissions from Her Majesty the Queen and the

, draws canine portraits so faithfully that in doggy circles she has earned the

sobriquet A sobriquet ( ) is a descriptive nickname, sometimes assumed, but often given by another. A sobriquet is distinct from a pseudonym in that it is typically a familiar name used in place of a real name without the need for explanation; it may beco ...

of the ''Lady Landseer''". (''Westminster Gazette'', 1897). Four Pomeranians by Frances C

* "''The dog show on paper and canvas'' is an excellent title for the collection of dog portraits by Miss F.C. Fairman, now to be seen in Clifford's Gallery in the Haymarket, for here are gathered together some seventy dogs of note, many of them being champions, and several pets belonging to the Royal Family, amongst them being the well-known ''Little Billee'', belonging to the

, the same dear little black and white face appearing in a group entitled, ''Punchie, Facey and Little Billee''. ''Venus'' is lent by the

Prince of Wales Prince of Wales (, ; ) is a title traditionally given to the male heir apparent to the History of the English monarchy, English, and later, the British throne. The title originated with the Welsh rulers of Kingdom of Gwynedd, Gwynedd who, from ...

, and some two or three others are pets of

Her Majesty Her Majesty may refer to: * Majesty, a style used by monarchs and wives of kings * Her Majesty (song), "Her Majesty" (song), a 1969 song by the Beatles about Queen Elizabeth II * ''Her Majesty the Decemberists'', an album from The Decemberists * H ...

. ''Four generations'' consists of a very prettily arranged picture of Mrs Thomas's Black Poms, this is an excellent portrait group, very natural and full of life; the most expressive face of ''Beira'' a black pug owned by Mrs Fifleld is remarkably well rendered, so too is a group of little Jap or Chinese dogs which are gravely considering a comical Japanese doll lying uncomfortably on its face with its wooden arms outstretched, this is quaintly called ''Discussing the fate of China''. Number six is a particularly well painted black-headed

schipperke A Schipperke (; ) is a small breed of dog that is believed to have originated in the 1600s in Flanders.Alexandra Anastasio (January 31, 2017) American Kennel Club official websit "What Was the Schipperke Bred To Do"/ref> There has been a long in ...

answering to the name of Phisto, and is lent by Mrs Krehl. Miss Fairman has succeeded remarkably well so far as portraiture is concerned, imparting many points of likeness and vitality, but there is still something to be desired with regard to her technique of skin texture, also the majority of the heads are highly preferable to the complete figures, as these occasionally have something lacking in the matter of proportion". (''Gentlewoman'', 1897). * "Her skill in realising the character of her subjects is quite exceptional. She shows a rare degree of appreciation of the peculiar attributes of the various breeds of dogs with which she has had to deal, and is particularly successful in rendering varieties and subtleties of texture. Her best work is in water-colour; her oil paintings hardly do justice to her unquestionable capacity, and lack something of reality and expressiveness. The success of the exhibition has already been remarkable; among the purchasers of her productions are the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and various other members of the Royal Family, and commissions for the portraits of several of the royal pets have immediately followed". (''Globe'', 1897). * "Miss F.C. Fairman ... is already favourably known for some excellent little object-sketches done in

and

. The artist has a most acute perception of those moments when dogs look as if they possessed an intelligence at present unknown to us. Many of the dogs painted are owned by folk of high degree from royalty down, and though their pictures may not commend themselves to those who like muscle as apart from ''points'', Miss Fairman is to be congratulated for much creditable and clever work". (''Reynolds's Newspaper'', 1897). * "The canine portraits by Miss F.C. Fairman are excellent, the water colour of ''Smooth Chow Yen How'', with a silky black texture, being particularly good". (''Gentlewoman'', 1902).

Notes

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fairman, Frances Caroline 1839 births 1923 deaths British women painters 19th-century English women artists 20th-century English women painters 20th-century English painters English landscape artists People from Lynsted