photo #6163768

"Fidelity" by Briton Rivière in 1869. Fidelity shows a poacher and his faithful dog awaiting trial in prison. The laws against poaching in the Victorian era were administered with great but declining severity. Rivière took the opportunity in this painting to combine two of his favourite subjects, the poacher, and the dog as a companion in hardship. The Art Journal critic particularly admired the dog, describing how it was "very admirable for the expression of sympathy and pity he bestows upon his master."