19th C Bull Dog Chromolithograph for Old Bushmills Distillery - Pierre Guerin

An eccentric image signed in the plate by the artist Pierre Guerin, this grumpy looking bull dog was likely designed to hang in a bar and advertise Old Bushmills Distillery, the worlds oldest liscenced whiskey distillery.

Condition is good for such an old piece of paper. I'm not certain if the advertising impression on the frame was once gilded or painted, there doesn't seem to be any evidence of that, but it is certainly very faint as it is, and difficult to photograph. You can see it more easily in person, but I have tried to capture a bit of it in a raking light. Please look at the photographs. There are a few spots, on the dogs flank and near the frame on the left. This piece has not been touched since it was put into its original frame and retains its old wooden backing, and of course, its old, wavy glass. The frame has some minor loss to its beaded edge on the lower right corner. Again, please see the photographs. But enough about the bad, this is, all in all, a wonderful and unusual piece with a quirky charm. Measures 22 1/4" x 28 1/4" overall, with the sight size measuring 15 3/4" x 21 5/8".

A great piece for those who appreciate the allure of old posters. The dog is a strong image, but he remains tenuous in a way, rather gentle, almost as if lost, endowing this piece with an ambiguous and enigmatic presence. Very curious.

Item ID: RL-585