Octave Van Cuyck ( Ostend 1870 – 1956 Liège ) - ' Portrait Of A Great Dane – Harlequin '

Van Cuyck Octave
Ostend 1870 – 1956 Liége
Belgian Painter

'Portrait of a Great Dane – Harlequin'

This striking life-size portrait by Belgian painter Octave Van Cuyck captures the commanding presence and noble bearing of a Harlequin Great Dane—a breed revered for its elegance, loyalty, and quiet strength. Rendered with extraordinary realism and sensitivity, the dog is portrayed not just as a subject of admiration, but as a proud and dignified companion, attentive and poised.

The model for this monumental work was a registered Great Dane named Colenso Eelse, born on June 13th, 1914, and bred by Mr. W. G. Shannon in Belfast. Her pedigree reflects the careful lineage of British kennel excellence, with both her sire and dam—Brutus G. Strandtown and Limavady Lady—registered with the prestigious Kennel Club of London.

Colenso Eelse was of the rare and prized Harlequin variety, her striking black-and-white coat rendered in loving detail by Van Cuyck’s brush. Registered to Mrs. W. Pedlow of Colenso Villa, Belfast, this dog would have been regarded not only as a family companion, but also as a symbol of refinement and status—a living testament to her breed's aristocratic heritage.

Van Cuyck, known for his skill in portraying both animals and landscapes with emotional depth, elevates this portrait beyond the conventional. The painter’s masterful handling of light and texture imbues the canvas with a sense of quiet grandeur, offering us a rare glimpse into the world of early 20th-century canine aristocracy.

This is not merely a painting—it is a legacy, a tribute to the bond between humans and their most faithful friends, immortalized through art.

Signature: signed lower right ‘Octave Van Cuyck’
Medium: oil on canvas
Dimensions: image size 120 x 182 cm, frame size 142 x 202,5 cm

Biography: Octave Van Cuyck was born on May 2, 1870, in Ostend, the son of Edouard Van Cuyck and Sophie Dehaese. He grew up in a period when the Belgian art scene was flourishing, and Ostend was becoming an important cultural center. His artistic talent led him around 1885 to the Academy of Ostend, which was then part of the École Industrielle. There, he laid the foundation for his future career as a painter.

Van Cuyck specialized in various genres, including landscapes, figures, fantasy scenes, and portraits of pets. His work was characterized by a detailed and refined style. He became a member of the Cercle Artistique d’Ostende, an artists’ association founded in 1908 that provided a platform for artists to exhibit their work and develop further.

In addition to painting, Van Cuyck had a particular interest in decorative art. Between 1920 and 1921, he created monumental paintings in the dining hall of the Société d’Exploitation d’Ostende (S.E.O.), located on Alfons Pieterslaan. These impressive works were among the most significant pictorial achievements in Ostend during the interwar period. He also produced decorative paintings for Ons Achturenhuis on Langestraat/Sint-Niklaasstraat, though these works have unfortunately been lost.

His style was influenced by Symbolism and Orientalism, as seen in works such as Jeunes femmes en forêt (1910). Religious and mythological themes also played a role in his oeuvre, exemplified in Eve in the Garden of Eden. Van Cuyck also had a passion for painting animals, as shown in works like Popsie, the dog of the artist. His attention to detail and realism in depicting animals gave his works a distinctive vibrancy.

Van Cuyck lived in Ostend for many years, residing at Christinastraat 50. At an unknown later date, he moved to Tilff, a village in the province of Liège. In his personal life, he was married twice: first to Annie Hainstocky and later to Céline Sluse.

Octave Van Cuyck passed away on September 26, 1956, in Tilff. Though his works are not always widely known to the general public, they testify to his craftsmanship and his contribution to Belgian art. His decorative paintings in Ostend were remarkable achievements of their time and contributed to the city’s rich artistic history.

His artistic legacy continues to live on in the Belgian art world. Van Cuyck was a versatile painter who excelled in both figurative and decorative art. His work reflects the diversity and creativity of the early 20th-century art scene and remains a source of admiration for art enthusiasts and collectors alike.