Oil paint on mahogany
Tate Collection
Works with images
General Collection
Collection
<a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/thomas-woodward-612" aria-label="More by Thomas Woodward" data-gtm-name="header_link_artist" data-gtm-destination="page--artist">Thomas Woodward</a>
RatCatcher and his Dogs
Bequeathed by Edward Archer 1892
actions: postures and motions
adults
animals: mammals
architecture
cage
cat
clothing and personal items
dog - non-specific
door
features
hat
man
objects
people
public service
rat
rat-catcher
sitting
stair / step
street
townscapes / man-made features
vessels and containers
village
work and occupations
<p>The village rat-catcher, resting on the steps, is identified not only by the cage containing live vermin at his side, but by his unusual hat-band, portraying his prey. A cat stalking the caged rats, ignored by the man absorbed in playing with his terriers, introduces a note of humour to the scene. The purpose of the rat-catcher’s occupation was probably straightforward pest control, although ‘ratting’ – when dogs competed to kill live rats in a pit – was a popular blood sport. Woodward was employed as an animal painter by Queen Victoria but he also produced landscapes and historical subjects.</p><p><em>Gallery label, February 2016</em></p>
painting oil paint mahogany
21 November 2012 – 24 July 2022
2022-07-24
17 November 2012
2012-11-17
Tate Britain (London, UK)
http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/
2012-11-21
Gallery 10
Collection based display
The Rat-Catcher and his Dogs
support: 432 × 540 mm
frame: 710 × 813 × 110 mm
Bequeathed by Edward Archer 1892
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<p>The village rat-catcher, resting on the steps, is identified not only by the cage containing live vermin at his side, but by his unusual hat-band, portraying his prey. A cat stalking the caged rats, ignored by the man absorbed in playing with his terriers, introduces a note of humour to the scene. The purpose of the rat-catcher’s occupation was probably straightforward pest control, although ‘ratting’ – when dogs competed to kill live rats in a pit – was a popular blood sport. Woodward was employed as an animal painter by Queen Victoria but he also produced landscapes and historical subjects.</p>
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2016-02-24T00:00:00
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actions: postures and motions adults animals: mammals architecture cage cat clothing and personal items dog - non-specific door features hat man objects people public service rat rat-catcher sitting stair / step street townscapes / man-made features vessels and containers village work and occupations