John Opie

Portrait of Two Boys with a Bird - British 18th century Old Master oil painting

Circa 1790

This beautiful 18th century Italian Old Master oil painting is something rather special. Painted circa 1750 the subject matter is Saint John the Baptist as a very young child. He is ...

This superb Dutch Golden Age portrait is attributed to circle of Dutch artist Wybrand Simonsz de Geest. Painted in 1666 it is a full length portrait of a young William Stonestreet. He is holding the paw of a clipped little white dog with drapes and clouds beyond. (It was common practise to dress young boys in dresses up to the age of about 6 or 7 when they were 'britched' or wore britches). An excellent example of Dutch Golden Age art that wouldn't look out of place in a museum. Wm Stonestreet 1666, Prebend of Selsely is inscribed top left. Provenance. Berkshire estate. Condition. Oil and canvas, 44 inches by 36 inches and in good condition. Frame. Housed in an ornate gilt frame, 52 inches by 44 inches and in good condition. Wybrand Simonsz. de Geest (16 August 1592 – c. 1661) was a Dutch Golden Age portrait painter from Friesland in the Netherlands. Wybrand de Geest was born and died at Leeuwarden. He learned painting from his father, Simon Juckesz, a stained glass worker. He studied later with Abraham Bloemaert. From 1614 to 1618 he travelled in France and Italy on a Grand Tour. In 1616 he met up with Leonard Bramer in Aix-en-Provence. While in Rome he became a member of the painters' circle known as the Bentvueghels. He earned the nickname 'De Friesche Adelaar', or "the Frisian Eagle". De Geest married Hendrickje Fransdr Uylenburgh in 1622, a niece of Saskia van Uylenburgh...

This stunning Old Master 17th century oil portrait painting is attributed to Francesco Fieravino, an artist famous in his day for still lifes and carpets. This painting which dates t...

This superb British 19th century equine oil painting is by noted horse lover, George Gascoyne. Painted in 1889, this French born chestnut horse is Phoenix. While he was essentially a miler, Phoenix (sometimes seen spelled as “Phenix”) came from a family that had produced Classic winners in France at up to 15 furlongs. He proved an excellent sire following his export to Argentina, becoming the foundation stallion for Guillermo Kemmis' breeding program at Haras Las Rosas. This painting is from his time in Argentina with Kemmis. Phoenix is depicted in a flat landscape against a vivid blue sky. A gentleman, possibly his owner, Guillermo Kemmis, stands smiling in front of him holding his reigns and gives perspective to how tall Phoenix is. Although in profile, Phoenix is turning to look at the viewer, his chestnut coat gleaming and his anatomy perfectly portrayed. This is a superb Victorian equine portrait of a noted horse in the 19th century and is a lovely example of Gascoyne's work as a horse lover. Signed with initials and dated GG 1889 lower right. Provenance. Inscribed "Phenix" (Cymbal -- Belle-Etoile) by George Gascoyne, Sittingbourne, Kent to reverse. Condition. Oil on canvas, 36 inches by 28 inches and in good condition. Frame. Housed in a wooden frame, 44 inches by 36 inches and in good condition. HORSE BIOGRAPHY Phoenix (FR) 1875 – 1893? Chestnut horse. Cymbal (GB) x Belle Etoile (FR), by First Born (FR) Family 25. While he was essentially a miler, Phoenix (sometimes seen spelled as “Phenix”) came from a family that had produced Classic winners in France at up to 15 furlongs. He proved an excellent sire following his export to Argentina, becoming the foundation stallion for Guillermo Kemmis' breeding program at Haras Las Rosas. Race record. Complete record unavailable but as follows: 1878: Won Prix de la Forêt (FR, 1600mT, Longchamp) 1879: Won July Cup (ENG, 6FT, Newmarket July). Won Rous Memorial Stakes (ENG, 8FT, Ascot). Won Bunbury Stakes (ENG, Newmarket). 2nd Rosebery Handicap (ENG, Epsom) 1880: Won Lennox Stakes (ENG, Goodwood) As a stallion: Phoenix was the Argentine champion sire six times, reaching the top in 1887-1890, 1892 and 1895. Notable progeny: Hawk Eye (ARG), Lenape (ARG), Marinera (ARG), Osiris (ARG), San Martín (ARG), Surplice (ARG) Connections: Phoenix was owned by Comte Frédéric de Lagrange. After being exported to Argentina, he stood at Haras Las Rosas, the stud farm of leading Argentine breeder Guillermo Kemmis. His last known foals were born in 1894. Pedigree notes: Phoenix is outcrossed through five generations. Sired by Cymbal, a son of 1861 Derby Stakes winner Kettledrum, he is out of Belle Etoile, whose half sister Garenne (by Gladiator or Ethirion or Freystrop) is the second dam of 1894 Prix Royal-Oak (French St. Leger) winner Gouvernail and the third dam of 1894 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby...

The Young Shepherd English School, 18th century circle of Sir Joshua Reynolds oil on canvas, unframed Canvas: 30 x 25 inches Provenance: Private collection Condition: very good condi...

English 19th century portrait of a White / Grey hunter in a stable. Charles Towne was born in Wigan in 1763. He was trained as a coach painter, and by ...

A copy of the self portrait of William Hogarth with his dog, called Trump. A fantastic quality image possibly from Hogarth's original school of art. This piece is titled, dated and monogrammed. It is in an antique, period Louis XIV style frame. The painting measures 36 x 28" (92 x 72cm) Outside Frame Size: 45 x 37" (104 x 94cm) Hogarth began this self-portrait in the mid-1730s. Initially Hogarth painted himself wearing a formal coat...

Thomas Spencer was a leading sporting and equestrian artist of the period of John Wootton and James Seymour; his art shows a considerable to debt to tha...