Young Girl and Dog (1890) by Edward Percy Moran

  • Title
    Young Girl and Dog
  • Artist
    Edward Percy Moran (1862–1935), American
  • Date
    1890
  • Medium
    Oil on canvas
  • Collection
    Private collection
  • 2542 x 3000 pixels, JPEG, 6.49 MB
  • Once payment is complete, the download link will be sent to your payment email.
  • Public Domain Content: Free for Personal & Commercial Use.

Artwork Story

Edward Percy Moran’s *Young Girl and Dog* (1890) captures a tender moment between a child and her loyal companion, bathed in soft, golden light that suggests late afternoon. The girl’s delicate features and the dog’s alert posture create a striking contrast—her calm, almost dreamy expression against its eager, watchful stance. Loose brushstrokes in the background blur the setting, drawing focus to their quiet bond. A faint hint of a floral dress and the dog’s scruffy fur add texture, while the warm palette evokes nostalgia, as if plucked from a half-remembered childhood memory.

Moran, known for his genre scenes, infuses this piece with subtle storytelling. Is the girl confiding in her pet, or simply lost in thought? The painting avoids sentimentality, instead offering a snapshot of unguarded intimacy. Shadows play across their faces, suggesting movement—perhaps a breeze rustling leaves just beyond the frame. Unlike grand historical works, this quiet vignette feels personal, a fleeting moment preserved with remarkable sensitivity.

About the Artist

Edward Percy Moran (1862–1935), American, Though not as widely recognized as some of his contemporaries, this American painter carved out a distinctive niche with his vivid historical and genre scenes. Born into a family of artists—his uncle was the celebrated marine painter Edward Moran—he inherited a knack for storytelling through brushstrokes. His work often leaned toward dramatic narratives, particularly scenes from American history, rendered with a theatrical flair that brought moments like the signing of the Declaration of Independence or frontier life to life.
Light played a key role in his compositions, whether illuminating the faces of revolutionary figures or casting long shadows across rural landscapes. Unlike the loose, impressionistic trends gaining ground in his era, his style remained more disciplined, favoring detailed realism with occasional romanticized touches. Critics sometimes dismissed his approach as conservative, but his ability to capture the spirit of pivotal moments resonated with audiences.
Beyond history paintings, he experimented with portraiture and quieter domestic scenes, though these works lacked the same energy. Financial struggles and shifting tastes eventually sidelined his reputation, but his legacy persists in the way he framed America’s past—not as dry fact, but as a series of vibrant, almost cinematic tableaus. Moran’s paintings remain tucked in regional collections, waiting for rediscovery by those who appreciate narrative depth wedded to technical precision.

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Digital product: Young Girl and Dog (1890) by Edward Percy Moran

Specs: 2542 x 3000 pixels, JPEG, 6.49 MB

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