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Lot Essay
In this sublime picture, the subject is shown in what Taylor, op.cit., described as a 'free posture ... different from the more formal 'managed' position to be seen in the [spectacular life-size] portraits of Whistlejacket [London, National Gallery] or Scrub [private collection], and which had had a long history in both painting and sculpture.' The movement and energy of the horse, captured as it casts a sideways glance at the viewer, is balanced by the serenity of the landscape, of which Taylor observed: 'Stubbs seems to have been particularly fond of this type of landscape background showing a river or lake and distant mountains, for it occurs frequently in works of the 1770s and 1780s especially.'
The June sale at Christie's in 1984, when this picture was bought by it's present owner, saw the disposal of a celebrated collection of pictures. The highest price was that paid for Herring Senior and Pollard's Doncaster Gold Cup of 12838 which sold for £777,600, a world record for any Sporting picture at auction.
The June sale at Christie's in 1984, when this picture was bought by it's present owner, saw the disposal of a celebrated collection of pictures. The highest price was that paid for Herring Senior and Pollard's Doncaster Gold Cup of 12838 which sold for £777,600, a world record for any Sporting picture at auction.