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72

John Frederick Herring I, ‘Farmyard with Horse Rider’, c. 1855

Currency:EUR Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,200.00 EUR Estimated At:3,600.00 - 4,500.00 EUR
John Frederick Herring I, ‘Farmyard with Horse Rider’, c. 1855
This oil painting by John Frederick Herring Sr. (1795-1865) originates from the late work of the artist and dates to around 1855, when Herring moved to the countryside in the South East of England, focusing on rural scenes. The small and fine painting depicts a view in a farmyard. The focal point of the depiction is a rider in red jacket on a white horse – the preferred animal motif of the English painter. Also the pigs, pigeons and ducks in the background are recurring motifs in Herring's oeuvre. In the surrounding architecture of the courtyard, the British painter furthermore proves that his good eye was not limited to animal motifs. The harmonious colours and perspectives in this painting bear witness of the artist’s wide craftsmanship that goes far beyond his pure horse depictions of the early work.



The painting is signed lower right ‘J. F. Herring Senr.’ It is optically in good condition with some strong craquelure in parts and some deep scratches. The painting was strongly varnished. Beneath the varnish can be found old restoration works. The edges show small paint flakings due to the framing. Verso, there are handwritten labels probably of former British owners, as well as a Christie’s stencil number. The beautiful, original frame with golden paint is also in good condition, featuring only minor nicks. The overall dimensions with frame are 34 x 32.5 cm; the dimensions of the painting are 25 x 23.5 cm.

John Frederick Herring Sr. (1795-1865)

Born in London, John Frederick Herring (1795-1865) was a painter in Victorian England. From 1836, he used the supplement ‘senior’ in his name, after his son John Frederick Herring Jr. had also become known as a painter.

John Frederick Herring Sr. is regarded as one of the foremost animal painters in the mid-19th century. He began his career with the painting of carriages and horse depictions for public houses. At that time, he was known as the ‘artist coachman‘. He was soon hired by the British upper class as a painter of racehorses. Due to his acquaintance with the successful painter Abraham Cooper, he was able to increase his visibility. He made paintings for great historical figures, such as the Duc d'Orleans, the Duchess of Kent and Queen Victoria. In 1853, Herring moved to rural Kent in southeast England, living in Meopham Park near Tonbridge. There, he focused on rural scenes and hunting depictions.

John Frederick Herring Sr. can be compared with the major animal painter Sir Edwin Landseer in his success and productivity. At his time, Herring’s paintings were very popular, being exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts, the British Institution and the Society of British Artists. Today, his works are displayed in many important collections, for example at the Tate Gallery, the Royal Collection, and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.
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