A DARK BAY HORSE HELD BY A LIVERIED GROOM IN A LANDSCAPE

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James Seymour
A DARK BAY HORSE HELD BY A LIVERIED GROOM IN A LANDSCAPE

About the Item

signed with initials and dated '1744' James Seymour was born in London, son of a wealthy banker and goldsmith who supplied plate for racing trophies. This encouraged Seymour into horse racing, and specifically into painting 'sporting' scenes of his time - but it also led to prolific spending on the subject. An extract from a contemporary art critic of Seymour's states: 'Jimmy Seymour ... from his infancy had a genius to drawing of horses (this he pursued with great spirit, set out with all sorts ... The darling of his Father run thro some thousands - livd gay high and loosely - horse racing gaming women &c. country houses. never studied enough to colour or paint well. but his necessityes - obliged him. to work or starve. thus his time passd. the latter part of his life in baseness and want of all necessaries. and dyed in Town. in the lowest circumstances & in debt - Southwark June - 1752. aged about or under 50.' ('Vertue Note Books III', Walpole Society, vol.22, 1934, p.86) Seymour spent his early years establishing a burgeoning reputation for sporting paintings, and by 1739 the Universal Spectator (a London newspaper) stated that 'James Seymour is reckoned as the finest draughtsman in his way of horses and hounds, in the whole world'. He had acquired quite a number of patrons over the years, a key one of which was Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset (The Proud Duke). The Duke commissioned Seymour to decorate a room at Petworth House, West Sussex, a house that he had rebuilt in the early 1700's. Seymour started a number portraits of the Duke's racehorses, but was subsequently scolded and dismissed by the Duke because Seymour insisted on his claim to a family connection. This work has all the hallmarks of Seymour in his prime: meticulous attention to detail, stylistic naivety and a highly original composition that became the norm from his countless artistic followers. Seymour, like his chief rival John Wootton, was in the vanguard of British sporting artists, creating a genre and style that enormously influenced the greatest British sporting artist, George Stubbs. PROVENANCE Collection of Peter Chappell Christie's, London, 16.3.56 lot 125, sold 160 gns. to Jones. Christie's, London, 23.11.04 lot 40, sold £27,485. with Mallets, London, where purchased by previous owner. By descent.

Creator:
James Seymour (1702 - 1752, British)
Dimensions:
Height: 24.02 in (61 cm)Width: 29.93 in (76 cm)
Medium:
Oil
Period:
Early 18th Century
Condition:
Gallery Location:
Petworth, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: i432/31stDibs: LU54632765993