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The Pharaoh's Horses
$21,956.97
£16,000
€18,812.64
CA$30,316.54
A$33,618.80
CHF 17,664.18
MX$410,764.56
NOK 221,003.04
SEK 207,449.11
DKK 140,440.06
About the Item
John Frederick Herring Snr (Surrey 1795-1863 Kent)
The Pharaoh's Horses
Oil on canvas
Painting Size - 32 x 32 in
Framed Size -39 x 39 in
Provenance
Frost & Reed, London, where purchased by the present owner
‘As a pourtrayer [sic] of the thoroughbred horse in high condition he is, and long has been, unrivalled; that beautifully healthy and natural gloss he gives to the skin – the real effect of being well-bred and reared, that union of strength and elegance – the perfect symmetry of the animal which he paints so life-like, so effectively, and yet so unexaggerated.’ (From Sporting Magazine, quoted by Oliver Beckett, J.F. Herring & Sons, 1981, p34-36)
In addition to his regular employment painting a celebrated and lucrative series of Derby and St. Leger race winners, by the 1840s John Frederick Herring had become Queen Victoria’s favourite animal portraitist. So close to the Royal Family was he that he even managed to buy one of the Queen’s Arabians, so that he could use the horse as a regular model. This beautiful grey was named Imaum, originally given to Queen Victoria by the Imaum of Muscat. This splendid beast was presented to her Royal Clerk of the Stables as a gift and subsequently sold at Tattersall’s, where Herring was the highest bidder. Imaum was the model for numerous pictures by Herring painted at his home, Meopham Park, including Shoeing Imaum of 1856 (sold in these rooms 15 December 2009, lot 66 for £481,000). Imaum’s noble profile was used for all three beautiful steeds in Pharaoh’s Horses, a triple celebration of equine vigour.
Herring had experimented with similar compositions in the past, showing multiple animals at close range to their best advantage, describing each meticulous detail of coat, flaring nostrils, and veins to perfection. In a description of Scanty Meal painted in 1848, the Art Journal of 1850 acknowledged that ‘A group of three horses’ heads variously engaged has long been a favourite theme with Herring; yet, although we recognize the same animals, their occupations are so diversified as to dispel the idea that he has copied himself’ (Beckett, p. 143).
The differing positions of each head make for a successful anatomical study of a horse rearing, ready either for battle, or for the rigors of a long ride. The clear blue sky and crystalline water in the distance evoke the far-away land from which Imaum and all Arabians originally hailed. Certainly, English racing and breeding were to be transformed by their arrival. The title Pharaoh’s Horses alluded to their ancient and noble heritage.
An earlier version of Pharaoh’s Horses dated 1848 (Sotheby’s, New York, 25 April 2006, lot 137) was engraved by Charles Wentworth Wass and first published 8 February 1849 by James Gilbert of Sheffield. The engraving proved to be very popular and became one of Herring’s best-known pictures, leading to requests for replicas of the painting from collectors. The 1848 version was bought by Philip Schuyler, who descended from one of New York's earliest important families.
Perhaps Herring’s most widely-recognized image today because of the wide distribution and enormous popularity of the Charles Wass engraving, Pharaoh’s Horses shows Herring’s talent at capturing the strength and beauty that were the prized qualities of Arabian stallions.
John Frederick Herring Sr. (1795–1865) was an English painter best known for his depictions of horses, animals, and rural life, especially in the context of hunting and horse racing. He is often considered one of the greatest animal painters of the 19th century, and his work continues to influence the genre of sporting art.
Herring was born in 1795 in the town of Surrey, England. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he trained as a coach-painter (someone who decorated horse-drawn carriages). This early exposure to horses and carriage-painting greatly influenced his later work. By the age of 25, Herring had moved to London, where he began to make a name for himself as a talented artist. His attention to detail and skill in capturing the movement and temperament of horses soon attracted the attention of art collectors and enthusiasts.
John Frederick Herring Sr.'s paintings are characterized by their realism and dynamic compositions. He was especially known for his ability to depict horses in motion, capturing not just their physical form, but their personalities and vitality. Many of his works feature thoroughbred racehorses, foxhunting scenes, and horse-drawn carriages, often set in pastoral English landscapes. He had a particular talent for conveying the athleticism and energy of horses, making them appear almost alive on the canvas.
Herring’s paintings were highly prized by the upper classes, and he became well-connected with prominent figures in English society, including aristocrats, landowners, and those involved in the horse racing industry. Many of his patrons were involved in horse racing, and he created a number of works commemorating famous racehorses and events.
He was also commissioned to create images of hunting scenes and other country pursuits, and these works were often commissioned by the landed gentry who were patrons of these activities.
In his later years, Herring's work became increasingly sought after, and his reputation as one of the finest animal painters of the period was firmly established. By the 1830s and 1840s, he was enjoying significant commercial success and had established a strong studio with a number of pupils, including his son, John Frederick Herring Jr., who also became a notable painter.
Herring’s skill and focus on horse painting made him a leading figure in English sporting art, a genre that has continued to thrive to this day. His works are now held in major collections worldwide, including in institutions like the Tate Britain and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
John Frederick Herring Sr. passed away in 1865, but he left behind a legacy as one of the foremost animal and sporting artists of the Victorian era. His work continues to be admired for its realism, technical skill, and its unique ability to capture the character of his subjects.
John Frederick Herring Sr.'s contributions to the genre of animal painting, especially regarding horses, made him an iconic figure in the history of English art. His works remain influential today, celebrated for their beauty, realism, and profound understanding of his subjects. Herring’s work immortalised the world of horse racing and hunting, and his paintings remain treasured examples of 19th-century sporting art.
- Dimensions:Height: 39 in (99.06 cm)Width: 39 in (99.06 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Circle Of:John Frederick Herring Sr. (1795 - 1865, British)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Stoke, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU446316885162
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