The Burton Hunt, December

The Burton Hunt, December (1830)

This painting was commissioned by Sir Richard Sutton Bt., the master of the Burton Hunt in 1830. Sir Richard, centre, is mounted on a large bay, surrounded by his hounds.

To the left on ‘Chestnut’ is Charles Chaplin of Blankney with H Boucheratt, Parson Howson and two whippers-in beyond. The huntsman Jem Shirley is standing by his horse; Banks Wright is standing to the right.

Looking at the work it is clear that this is a commissioned work with the client taking centre stage and slightly separated from the main group. The setting is the scene of the Burton Hunt itself which lies to north of Lincoln, with Lincoln Cathedral in the distance, Ferneley capturing the blustery sky of a December day.

The very pose of the sitters indicates their importance and social standing – the huntsman is dwarfed by the horses in comparison. The surrounding hounds provide the movement in the painting – they cannot be made to pose and are playful and snappish as a consequence.

About the Artist

John Ferneley (1782-1860)

Born in Thrussington, Leicestershire, he was the son of a wheelwright. As a youngster he worked with his father and his artistic ability was first recognised by the Duke of Rutland. The Duke persuaded his father to become a pupil of Benjamin Marshall where he made copies of has horse paintings. He was subsequently enrolled as a student of the Royal Academy Schools and painted his first commissions for the Duke of Rutland.

Whilst visiting Lincoln, Ferneley met Thomas Assheton and it was for him that he painted the famous picture of Quorn. From 1810 to 1812 he made annual visits to Ireland and painted for the Irish Gentry. He established himself in Melton Mowbray and built a studio and later a house, Elgin Lodge, on the Sleaford Road. His work became very fashionable and his patrons included many earls and Dukes. Ferneley painted many portraits of hunters, hunt scurries and large pictures of meets of hounds. He has a fine use of colour and his pictures are comparable to Marshall’s and second only to Stubbs.