S. Edwin Megargee (1883-1958)
Two Setters, 1939
signed and dated "Edwin Megargee "39" lower right
oil on canvas, 24 by 32 in.

Edwin Megargee was born in Philadelphia in 1883. He studied at Georgetown University, the Drexel Art Institute in Philadelphia, and the Art Students League in New York and specialized in paintings of domestic animals and sporting subjects. Many of his sporting dog scenes appeared in "Field & Stream" and in his portfolio, "Gun Dogs at Work." He is best known as a leading portrayer of prize-winning gun dogs, including pointers, setters, retrievers, and spaniels.

In 1953, Megargee illustrated Julie Campbell Tatham's "World Book of Dogs." In it, he is referred to as "a licensed (and very active) judge of the American Kennel Club and Chairman of its Library Committee. A breeder, judge and owner of first-class sporting and bench show dogs, he brings to his paintings and illustrations a thorough knowledge of animal structure, color and authenticity of atmosphere."

Exceptional for its composition, this pinnacle Megargee oil portrays two beautiful English setters on point.

Provenance: Private Collection, Pennsylvania

Literature: Julie Campbell Tatham and Edwin Megargee, illus., "World Book of Dogs," Cleveland, OH, 1953, p. 126.

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