Equestrian

The Countess of Coningsby in the Costume of the Charlton Hunt

Artist: George Stubbs

Date: ca. 1760

George Stubbs, 1724–1806 was an English painter, best known for his paintings of horses. Self-trained, Stubbs learnt his skills independently from other great artists of the eighteenth century such as Reynolds or Gainsborough.

British, Scipio, a spotted hunter, the property of Colonel Roche

Artist: Thomas Spencer

Date: ca.1750

 

Thomas Spencer, 1700–1753

H. Grant on Horseback

Artist: Possibly Henry Thomas Alken

Date: undated

Henry Thomas Alken, 1785–1851, was an English painter and engraver chiefly known as a caricaturist and illustrator of sporting subjects and coaching scenes.

Hunter in a landscape

Artist: Sir Tatton Sykes Leading in the Horse 'Sir Tatton Sykes' with William Scott Up

Date: 1846

 

Harry Hall, 1838–1886

Hunter in a landscape

Artist: James Ward

Date: 1810

James Ward (1769–1859) was one of the outstanding artists of his day, his singular style and great skill set him above most of his contemporaries, markedly influencing the growth of British Art. Regarded as one of the great animal painters of his time, James produced history paintings, portraits, landscapes and genre. He started off as an engraver, trained by William, who later engraved much of his work. The partnership of William and James Ward produced the best that English art had to offer, their great technical skill and artistry having led to images that reflect the grace and charm of the era. He was admitted for membership into the Royal Academy in 1811.

Muly Moloch

Artist: Benjamin Marshall

Date: 1803

Benjamin Marshall, 1768–1835, was an English sporting and animal painter. He was a follower of George Stubbs.

Muly Moloch was foaled in 1798. His dam was a mare called Mistletoe, the daughter of Pot-8-os (also known as 'Pot-"oooooooo"-s,' the winner of thirty races and the sire of three Derby winners). Muly won seven out of thirteen races from 1800 to 1803 and competed against some of the strongest horses of his generation.

Incredibly we even know the stable lad's name was Tod, and the three onlookers are Hardy, the trainer (gesturing); Thompson, the head gardener at Raby Castle; and Trotter, an elderly tenant of Lord Darlington's and an enthusiastic connoisseur of the turf. 

Sir Roger Burgoyne Riding "Badger"

Artist: James Seymour

Date: 1740

James Seymour, 1702–1752, was an English painter, widely recognized for his equestrian art.

Lustre, held by a Groom

Artist: George Stubbs

Date: ca. 1762

George Stubbs, 1724–1806 was an English painter, best known for his paintings of horses. Self-trained, Stubbs learnt his skills independently from other great artists of the eighteenth century such as Reynolds or Gainsborough.

Lustre belonged to the second Viscount Bolingbroke (1732-1787), nicknamed "Bully", who commissioned at least eight racehorse portraits from Stubbs. Nephew and heir to the first Viscount, a distinguished orator and statesman, the younger Bolingbroke was renowned in the world of breeding and racing, both as owner and gambler.

Turf, with Jockey up, at Newmarket

Artist: George Stubbs

Date: ca. 1766

George Stubbs, 1724–1806 was an English painter, best known for his paintings of horses. Self-trained, Stubbs learnt his skills independently from other great artists of the eighteenth century such as Reynolds or Gainsborough.

Turf belonged to the second Viscount Bolingbroke (1732-1787), nicknamed "Bully", who commissioned at least eight racehorse portraits from Stubbs. Nephew and heir to the first Viscount, a distinguished orator and statesman, the younger Bolingbroke was renowned in the world of breeding and racing, both as owner and gambler. He owned some of the most successful racehorses of the day, including the famous Gimcrack. Turf raced mostly at Newmarket, and the high point of his career was beating King Herod in a match for a thousand guineas on 4 April 1766. The jockey is wearing Bolingbroke's colours, but his identity is unknown".

'Crucifix' with John Day Up

Artist: Harry Hall

Date: 1840 to 1841

Harry Hall, 1838–1886

 

Crucifix was an undefeated, Classic Race winning, British-bred Thoroughbred racemare. She was also the dam of three sires who had a great influence on the breed.

A Hunter in a Landscape

Artist: James Ward

Date: 1810

James Ward (1769–1859) was one of the outstanding artists of his day, his singular style and great skill set him above most of his contemporaries, markedly influencing the growth of British Art. Regarded as one of the great animal painters of his time, James produced history paintings, portraits, landscapes and genre. He started off as an engraver, trained by William, who later engraved much of his work. The partnership of William and James Ward produced the best that English art had to offer, their great technical skill and artistry having led to images that reflect the grace and charm of the era. He was admitted for membership into the Royal Academy in 1811.

Euxton, with John White Up, at Heaton Park

Artist: John Ferneley

Date: 1829

John Ferneley, 1782–1860, was an English painter who specialised in portraying sporting horses and hunting scenes. Although his rendition of horses was stylised, he is regarded as one of the great British equine artists, second perhaps only to George Stubbs.

Epsom Races: Preparing to Start

Artist: James Pollard

Date: 1834 to 1835

James Pollard, 1792–1867, was a British painter noted for his mail coach, fox hunting and equine scenes.

The Duke of Devonshire's Flying Childers

Artist: James Seymour

Date: 1742

James Seymour, 1702–1752, was an English painter, widely recognized for his equestrian art.

Flying Childers was a famous undefeated 18th century thoroughbred racehorse, foaled in 1714 at Carr House, Warmsworth, Doncaster, and is often cited as the first truly great racehorse in the history of thoroughbreds and the first to catch the public imagination.

Study of a Saddled Bay Hunter

Artist: John Ferneley

Date: 1828

John Ferneley, 1782–1860, was an English painter who specialised in portraying sporting horses and hunting scenes. Although his rendition of horses was stylised, he is regarded as one of the great British equine artists, second perhaps only to George Stubbs.

The Quorn Hunt in Full Cry: Second Horses

Artist: John Dalby

Date: ca. 1835

 

John Dalby, active 1826–1853

Old Fox held by a Groom

Artist: James Seymour

Date: 1721

James Seymour, 1702–1752, was an English painter, widely recognized for his equestrian art.

Scenes from a Steeplechase: The Winner

Artist: Henry Thomas Alken

Date: ca. 1845

Henry Thomas Alken, 1785–1851, was an English painter and engraver chiefly known as a caricaturist and illustrator of sporting subjects and coaching scenes.

Scenes from a steeplechase: Near the Finish

Artist: Henry Thomas Alken

Date: ca. 1845

Henry Thomas Alken, 1785–1851, was an English painter and engraver chiefly known as a caricaturist and illustrator of sporting subjects and coaching scenes.

The Match between Aaron and Driver at Maidenhead, Aug. 1754: Aaron winning the Second Heat

Artist: Richard Roper

Date: ca. 1754

 

Richard Roper, active 1749–1765

Huntsman and Hounds

Artist: John Nost Sartorius

Date: 1809

John Nost Sartorius, 1759–1828, was an English painter of horses, horse-racing and hunting scenes. He is considered the best-known and prolific of the Sartorius family of artists.

Euphrates

Artist: William Webb

Date: 1825

 

William Webb, ca. 1780–1845

Diamond, with Dennis Fitzpatrick Up

Artist: Benjamin Marshall

Date: 1799

Benjamin Marshall, 1768–1835, was an English sporting and animal painter. He was a follower of George Stubbs.

'Sultan' at the Marquess of Exeter's Stud, Burghley House

Artist: Lambert Marshall

Date: 1826

 

Lambert Marshall, 1810–1870

Lord Abergavenny's Dark Bay Carriage Horse with a Terrier

Artist: Thomas Gooch

Date: 1785

Thomas Gooch, 1750–1802, was an English artist who also specialised in painting animals, particularly dog and horse portraiture.

'Margrave' with James Robinson Up

Artist: John Frederick Herring

Date: 1833

John Frederick Herring Sr. (1795 –1865) was a highly successful and prolific artist, he ranks along with Sir Edwin Landseer as one of the more eminent animal painters of mid- 19th century Europe.

A Gentleman Driving Tandem to a Jaunting Car

Artist: Edwin W. Cooper of Beccles

Date: ca. 1820

Edwin W. Cooper of Beccles, 1785–1833, was an English artist, known for his work in painting animals. He was an honorary member of the Norwich Society, and is considered to be one of the Norwich School of painters.

Landscape with a Shepherd

Artist: Charles Towne

Date: ca. 1800

Charles Towne, 1763–1840, was an English painter of landscapes, horses and other animals, horse-racing and hunting scenes.