Items Similar to English early 19th century painting of a chestnut hunter in a landscape
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
John Ferneley SeniorEnglish early 19th century painting of a chestnut hunter in a landscape
About the Item
A painting of a chestnut hunter in a landscape with a horse and rider accompanied by two hounds by a woodland river in the distance.
Signed and inscribed 'Melton Mowbray', lower left.
Oil on canvas in a giltwood frame.
John Ferneley Sr (1782-1860) was born the son of a Leicestershire wheelwright, the youngest of six children. He is known as one of the great British equine artists, perhaps only second to Stubbs in terms of raw ability.
Ferneley originally worked with his father, until by chance the Duke of Rutland saw some of his work on the side of a cart on which Ferneley and his father had been working. The Duke was so impressed with Ferneley that he persuaded John's father to allow him to become the pupil of Benjamin Marshall. Ferneley was so talented that apparently he produced almost perfect copies of his tutor's paintings and they were said to have been indistinguishable from the master’s. Marshall also enrolled him as a student of the Royal Academy Schools.
In 1804 Ferneley paid a man named Thomas Harrison to undertake his compulsory army service - a practice that was commonplace at the time. It was ironic that his first commission then came from the Leicestershire militia.
From then on he received widespread commissions and his reputation grew. Between 1808 and 1811 he made frequent trips to Ireland , where he painted pictures for the gentry. He established himself in Melton Mowbray where he built a studio and later a house, Elgin Lodge, on the Sleaford Road , where he remained for the rest of his life.
His work became very fashionable, and his patrons included many dukes and earls as well as some of the most famous personalities of the time such as Beau Brummel and the Count D’Orsay. It must have been a credit to his personality and intelligence that from such humble beginnings he was accepted as a friend of the Meltonians and his house was the Sunday afternoon meeting place for many of them. Ferneley would hunt, shoot and fish as a guest of many of his titled patrons.
Ferneley’s best work was painted in the period of 1810 to 1850, when he displayed his full repertoire of hunting, racing and horse scenes. His painting of horses was superb, his figures were at first less good, but he became a close friend of Sir Francis Grant who gave his some help with the painting of figures while Ferneley gave Grant lessons in horse painting. They combined on several procures, one painting figures and the other horses. Ferneley had a fine use of colour and his pictures are comparable to Marshall and second only to Stubbs. He signed very delicately, often with a pin head in the wet paint and often on the bar of a fence, stable door or other obscure part of the painting. His signature is always very distinguishable from his son John Junior who normally signed heavily in black in the corner of the painting.
Ferneley painted his last picture in 1860 at the age of seventy-eight.
Literature: Sally Mitchell, The Dictionary of British Equestrian Artists, 1985
- Creator:John Ferneley Senior (1782 - 1860, British)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.47 in (85 cm)Width: 37.41 in (95 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Bath, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU95213291472
John Ferneley Senior
John E. Ferneley 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. His work was exhibited between 1806 and 1853 at the Royal Academy. He traveled extensively in Ireland from 1806 to 1809, but returned to England to marry, and started working from Melton Mowbray. Here he built his studio and later a house, Elgin Lodge, on the Scalford Rd. Melton Mowbray was fast becoming a watering hole for the sporting fraternity and the place where modern fox-hunting developed in the late eighteenth century. Hugo Meynell, a wealthy local bred his hounds to keep up with the horses and riders in their pursuit over hedges and ditches. At this time riders began wearing the scarlet jackets which were to become traditional. Ferneley routinely was commissioned to paint the famous Quorn, Belvoir, and Cottesmore hunts.
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
Established in 2002
1stDibs seller since 2015
37 sales on 1stDibs
Associations
The British Antique Dealers' AssociationLAPADA - The Association of Arts & Antiques DealersInternational Confederation of Art and Antique Dealers' Associations
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Bath, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View All19th century English School, Bay Horse and a Terrier in a Landscape
Located in Bath, Somerset
A bay hunter and a black and white short haired dog (possibly a bull terrier) in an extensive English landscape. a rustic barn in the near distance. Indistinctly signed 'Br...' and d...
Category
Early 19th Century English School Animal Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$9,421 Sale Price
20% Off
English 19th century portrait of Lord Methuen's favourite dogs
By William Barraud
Located in Bath, Somerset
A painting of Lord Methuen’s Spaniels Gipsy and Fairy, by William Barraud, standing beside a classical urn in a landscape by a lake, probably in the grounds of Corsham Court in Wiltshire, the Methuen family country seat. Signed and dated 'W Barraud...
Category
19th Century English School Animal Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
English 18th century portrait of a water spaniel dog standing in a landscape
By George Stubbs
Located in Bath, Somerset
Circle of George Stubbs (1724-1806). English 18th century portrait of a water spaniel standing in a wooded landscape.
This charming painting is a wonderful example of the style of English dog painting made popular by artists such as George Stubbs and other sporting artists working in England in the 18th century who painted the dogs and horses of the aristocracy and wealthier classes. It follows in the ancient tradition of celebrating and commemorating our faithful canine companions through portraiture.
Oil on canvas in a giltwood frame
Provenance: Private collection, Somerset
George Stubbs (1724-1806) was classified in his lifetime as a sporting painter, and as such was excluded from full membership of the Royal Academy. He is best remembered for his paintings of horses and his conversation pieces. Having studied anatomy, Stubbs's pictures of horses are among the most accurate ever painted.
Stubbs was born in Liverpool, the son of a leather worker...
Category
18th Century English School Animal Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$16,035 Sale Price
20% Off
A portrait of an English terrier dog standing in a walled garden, signed.l
By John Emms
Located in Bath, Somerset
A terrier named Joe standing in an English country house walled garden, painted by the eminent animal painter John Emms (1844-1912) in the late 19th cent...
Category
1890s English School Animal Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
A portrait of two hound dogs standing in a landscape, signed and dated 1889
By Henry Frederick Lucas Lucas
Located in Bath, Somerset
Two Warwickshire hounds, named Hermit and Wildboy, standing in a landscape.
Signed and dated 1889 (lower right) and signed, inscribed and dated on the reverse.
Oil on canvas in a gil...
Category
19th Century English School Animal Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
A portrait of a black and white spaniel dog in a sumptuous interior
Located in Bath, Somerset
A black and white spaniel standing on a yellow silk damask covered day-bed in a sumptuous interior.
Provenance:
With Arthur Ackermann & Son Ltd., London.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, South Kensington, 15 May 2007, lot 284
Private collection, London
Samuel John Carter...
Category
1870s English School Animal Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
You May Also Like
Portrait of the Long-Haired Black Labrador, 19th Century, English School
By John Ferneley Senior
Located in Firenze, IT
Portrait of the Long-Haired Black Labrador, 19th Century, English School
This distinguished portrait of a long-haired black Labrador is attributed to the circle of John Ferneley (18...
Category
19th Century English School Animal Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$1,900 Sale Price
35% Off
Antique English Oil Painting Sheep in Pastoral Landscape Golden Light
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Pastoral Landscape
English School, late 19th century
signed
oil on board, framed
framed: 19 x 25 inches
board: 18 x 24 inches
Provenance: private collection, UK
Condition: the painti...
Category
Late 19th Century English School Landscape Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Fine Victorian English Oil Rural Cottage Landscape Figures & Animals in Lane
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Rural Lane
English School, mid Victorian period, circa 1860'1870
oil on canvas, framed
framed: 21.5 x 27 inches
canvas: 18 x 24 inches
Provenance: private collection, England
Con...
Category
Mid-19th Century English School Landscape Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Large Traditional English River Woodland Landscape Signed Oil Painting framed
By Andrew Grant Kurtis
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Winding River
by Andrew Grant Kurtis (British, 20th century)
signed oil on canvas, framed
Framed: 25.5 x 35.5 inches
Canvas: 20 x 30 inches
Provenance: Private collection, UK
Con...
Category
20th Century English School Landscape Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Large Antique English Dog Oil Painting with Kitten Signed & Dated 1927 framed
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
"Touch it if you dare!"
English artist, signed and dated 1927
oil on canvas, framed
framed: 25 x 31 inches
canvas: 18 x 24 inches
provenance: private collection, England
condition: v...
Category
1920s English School Animal Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Winter landscape with Seagulls on ploughed fields in the English Countryside
Located in Preston, GB
Winter landscape with Seagulls on ploughed fields in the English Countryside by 20th Century British Artist
Art measures 24 x 20 inches
Frame measures 28 x 24 inches
Richard Woo...
Category
1980s English School Landscape Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Royal Art Lodge
Stable Door
Used Stable Doors
Antique Stable Door
Painting Oil Earl
Antique Fish Painting
English River Scene Painting
English Trolley
Horse And Cart Paintings
English Equestrian
Antique English Dictionary
Two Hounds
John Marshall
Antique Oil Painting Ireland
Heavy Horses Paintings
Francis Grant
Benjamin Thomas Paintings
Fish Pin