A highlight at Sworders’ upcoming Sporting Art, Wildlife and Dogs Live Online auction on Tuesday 6th October is a painting by Suffolk 19th century artist Alfred Hitchens Corbould (1821-1874). Titled 'Major Stayplton’s Phaeton Horses - putting to.’
The oil on canvas is signed and dated 1864 and measures an imposing 112cm x 190cm.
Exhibited at the Royal Academy, London in 1864 the artwork was originally painted for Major Stayplton in 1864 and stayed in family for many years. It shows two stable hands and a groom preparing the family carriage outside the gates of a country house. Sworders Sporting Art specialist Jane Oakley has placed an estimate of £12,000-18,000 on the painting.
Between 1844 and 1863, Corbould exhibited 20 pictures at the Royal Academy, most of them this kind of informal equestrian studies. The Royal Collection includes a picture he painted in 1853 for Edward, Prince of Wales depicting his pony Caspar, his black retriever Duck, and John Burgess, the groom. The Prince also appears in the picture – as a shadow cast in the centre of the painting.
Corbould’s older brother Edward Henry Corbould (1815-1905), was also patronised by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, acting as drawing tutor to their children.
See Sworders website for the full catalogue and details on how to leave a bid – www.sworder.co.uk