A striking equestrian portrait by British sporting artist Ninetta Butterworth, depicting the legendary racehorse Red Rum, one of the most celebrated horses in British racing history.
Butterworth was known for her refined portraits of horses associated with racing, hunting and polo, combining precise observation with an elegant and highly distinctive sense of composition. Her understanding of the equestrian world allowed her to capture not simply the appearance of a horse, but its individual character and athletic presence.
Here, Red Rum dominates the composition in an impressive head-and-neck portrait, his alert ears, intelligent expression and richly modelled chestnut coat giving him remarkable presence. Surrounding the central portrait are smaller equestrian vignettes, creating an unusual and highly decorative composition that celebrates the sporting world.
The identification of the horse as Red Rum (1965–1995) gives the painting particular significance. A national sporting icon, Red Rum achieved an unrivalled record at the Grand National, winning the race three times—in 1973, 1974 and 1977—as well as finishing second in 1975 and 1976.
Both an accomplished equestrian portrait and a tribute to one of Britain's greatest racehorses, this is a particularly appealing work for collectors of British sporting art, horse racing memorabilia...
Category
20th Century English School Animal Paintings