Charles Olivier de Penne's love of animals, especially dogs, and scenes of the hunt appears to be a driving force behind his art, and its popularity. This charming painting of faithful hounds at rest demonstrates his great understanding of the animals’ character.

Charles de Penne began painting animals after 1855, specializing in dogs. It was his great friend Charles Jacques who noted de Penne’s talent for painting dogs and encouraged him to specialize in that genre. As this charming work demonstrates, he had a great understanding of their character and his works became very popular. This beautiful painting of hounds resting is undoubtedly one of his finest and most charming works and was gifted to his great friend Charles Jacques with a dedication to him on the back of the panel. Charles de Penne is represented in the Fine Art Museums of Chantilly, La Rochelle and Montreal.