Portrait of Queen Victoria’s dog up for auction

A portrait of Queen Victoria’s favorite dog, a collie named Sharp, is to go under the hammer at Bonhams New York in February. Sharp rarely left the queen’s side after the death of her husband, Prince Albert, but was known by others for his ill temper – the faithful dog was buried in Windsor Home Park, Berkshire, after his death in 1879. The oil painting will feature in Dogs in Show & Field: The Fine Art Sale on 16th February 2011 at Bonhams New York. Created by the Norfolk artist Charles Burton Barber, it is estimated the oil painting could attract a pre-sale estimate of £2,500 to £4,000. His tomb stone reads: "Sharp, the favourite and faithful Collie of Queen Victoria from 1866 to 1879. Died now 1879 aged 15 years." Source