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Dimensions: measurements 28 by 36 in. alternate measurements 71.1 by 91.4 cm
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Exhibited:
London, Institute of Painters in Oil Colours, Winter 1885, no. 90
Royal Mining and Industrial Exhibition, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, May 1887, no. 184
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Notes: We would like to thank Terry Parker for his assistance with this catalogue entry.
Frederick Morgan, one of most highly-sought after British genre painters of his time, collaborated with good friend and fellow artist Allen Culpepper Sealy (1850-1927) on Rival Families, which depicts a playful confrontation between a group of farmyard cats and dogs. Sealy is best known for his equestrian paintings and his skill for rendering animals prompted numerous collaborations throughout his career. His open style of brushwork (reminiscent of the work of John Emms) and thick heavy palette gives the feeling of texture and density to the animal's coat which contrasts with Morgan's much finer style as seen in the smooth texture of the girls' skin. Their silky hair also contrasts with the unkempt roughness of the dog's coat. It was common practice for aging barrels, as seen in the back left of the composition, to be turned on their side thus becoming a perfect kennel for the working dog. The cat is also a farm worker housed in the barn to keep down the rodent population. The dog is a tri-colour rough collie (black, white and tan). Her puppies are between eight and twelve weeks old and the kittens are of a similar age. The cat poised in the background on the right is a subtle touch which adds an element of suspense to the composition. Her desire for self preservation leaves her observing from a distance, but she is wide-eyed with anxiety, concern and apprehension. The girls are oblivious to this, and are simply enjoying playing with their pets. This painting will be included in the forthcoming book The Morgan Family of Painters by Terry Parker (Shepton Beauchamp: Richard Dennis, Summer 2008).
