This painting by Otto Eerelman beautifully captures the peaceful slumber of a Saint Bernard, a breed known for its loyalty and gentle temperament. The dog is depicted lying on a bed of straw, its body relaxed and its head resting on the ground in a state of deep rest. Eerelman’s attention to detail is evident in the realistic portrayal of the dog’s fur, with the soft, warm tones of its brown and white coat creating a sense of texture and warmth.

Eerelman’s skill in capturing the subtle play of light on the fur enhances the realism, highlighting the Saint Bernard’s iconic coat of white and brown. The composition is simple yet effective, focusing entirely on the dog, with minimal distractions in the background. This approach draws the viewer’s attention to the Saint Bernard’s peaceful expression and the natural curves of its body as it rests. The calm and contented nature of the sleeping dog evokes feelings of serenity and trust, qualities often associated with the breed, known historically for its role as a rescue dog in the Swiss Alps. Eerelman’s love and respect for animals are evident in this work, where he not only captures the physical likeness of the Saint Bernard but also conveys its character.

Otto Eerelman (1839-1926) is generally considered one of the best Dutch animal painters of the nineteenth century. He was highly respected there during his life and it is with good reason he was called the ‘Northern Rembrandt’. Yet Eerelman also gained a great reputation in the rest of the country, in part due to numerous commissions he received from the royal family from 1880 onwards. During his life, Eerelman’s paintings were internationally popular, principally in Belgium and Germany and nowadays his work has even spread to the United States. In past years, his dog paintings in particular have become highly appreciated in the art market.

Otto Eerelman was first a pupil at the Minerva Academy, Groningen, and later attended the Antwerp Academy (1864-1865). Having begun as a painter of old Dutch interiors and genre works, Eerelman gradually established a reputation as a painter of horses. He is best known for his paintings of Queen Wilhelmina in riding habit. His later work from the early 1880s is almost entirely devoted to dog portraits or groups of young dogs.

Many well-to-do dog owners brought their faithful companions to the artist’s house at the Elandstraat in The Hague where it would stay for a period of time while being portrayed. Therefore, Eerelman built a small boarding kennel in his garden to accommodate the dogs he immortalised.

Otto Eerelman painted all sorts of breeds, but preferred the larger breeds such as the Saint-Bernhard, the subject of this painting. Eerelman was a master in capturing the expression and the characters of the dogs as well as their shiny coats.

Eerelman composed several paintings with Saint-Bernhard puppies. All brilliantly show Eerelman’s skill in rendering the softness of the furs and the cheerful character of the young dogs. In this painting we see a beautiful Saint Bernard puppy completely relaxed in a deep sleep.