Spaniel and Wild Duck

Ansdell was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, and he first exhibited at the Liverpool Academy in 1835, becoming a student there the following year. His animal and rural subjects proved to be popular and he soon attracted wealthy patrons. His first exhibition at the Royal Academy, London, was in 1840, with two paintings called "Grouse shooting" and "A Galloway farm". He went on to exhibit pictures every year at the Academy until 1885. Ryall was an English line, stipple and mixed-method engraver and later used mixed mezzotint. He was appointed the royal engraver by Queen Victoria.