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The artwork depicts a jockey astride a bay racehorse, situated within a larger landscape that includes a stable or grandstand structure in the background. The rider is adorned in a distinctive, multicolored patterned racing silk shirt complemented by crisp white riding trousers, thereby evoking the traditional attire, pageantry, and vibrant ambiance of the racing industry.
John F. Herring was born in central London in 1795. In 1818, at the age of 23, he was offered his first major private commission from the philanthropist Mr. Hawksworth. That same year, he completed his first work at the Royal Academy in London titled “Portrait of a Dog.”
During this period, Herring also obtained the commission to paint all the winners of the St. Leger Cup. In 1827, he received a similar commission for the winners of the Derby. These portraits, painted with great detail and precision, were then engraved and distributed to an eager public, further enhancing Herring’s fame and popularity.
By 1833, Herring relocated with his family to London and began painting his now highly popular farmyard scenes. He continued to paint portraits of the winners of numerous significant races. In 1836, Herring began exhibiting at the Royal Society of British Artists (becoming a member in 1841). He was invited to Paris by the French heir to the throne in 1840 to paint his five horses. This set of paintings was engraved and published in both France and England.
Herring’s fame did not go unnoticed in England, and in 1845, he was appointed Animal Painter to Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. One of his paintings was gifted to Queen Victoria, who was so impressed that she commanded Herring to paint a portrait of one of her horses as a gift for Prince Albert.
During the 20 years Herring resided in London, he established himself as one of the great masters of horse painting and exhibited alongside Sir E. Landseer and Benjamin Marshall.
Today, examples of his work can be found in most major collections of British Sporting art, including the Tate Gallery in London, the Nottingham Art Gallery, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and the Baltimore Museum of Art in Maryland.
Oil on canvas.
Attributed to John Frederick Herring, Sr.
C. 1830-40, England
The artwork depicts a jockey astride a bay racehorse, situated within a larger landscape that includes a stable or grandstand structure in the background. The rider is adorned in a distinctive, multicolored patterned racing silk shirt complemented by crisp white riding trousers, thereby evoking the traditional attire, pageantry, and vibrant ambiance of the racing industry.
John F. Herring was born in central London in 1795. In 1818, at the age of 23, he was offered his first major private commission from the philanthropist Mr. Hawksworth. That same year, he completed his first work at the Royal Academy in London titled “Portrait of a Dog.”
During this period, Herring also obtained the commission to paint all the winners of the St. Leger Cup. In 1827, he received a similar commission for the winners of the Derby. These portraits, painted with great detail and precision, were then engraved and distributed to an eager public, further enhancing Herring’s fame and popularity.
By 1833, Herring relocated with his family to London and began painting his now highly popular farmyard scenes. He continued to paint portraits of the winners of numerous significant races. In 1836, Herring began exhibiting at the Royal Society of British Artists (becoming a member in 1841). He was invited to Paris by the French heir to the throne in 1840 to paint his five horses. This set of paintings was engraved and published in both France and England.
Herring’s fame did not go unnoticed in England, and in 1845, he was appointed Animal Painter to Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. One of his paintings was gifted to Queen Victoria, who was so impressed that she commanded Herring to paint a portrait of one of her horses as a gift for Prince Albert.
During the 20 years Herring resided in London, he established himself as one of the great masters of horse painting and exhibited alongside Sir E. Landseer and Benjamin Marshall.
Today, examples of his work can be found in most major collections of British Sporting art, including the Tate Gallery in London, the Nottingham Art Gallery, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and the Baltimore Museum of Art in Maryland.
Oil on canvas.
Attributed to John Frederick Herring, Sr.
C. 1830-40, England
