18th Cent. Equestrian Portrait, Circle of Wootton

Exceptional 18th Century Equestrian Portrait, Circle of John Wootton. A fine and large profile equestrian portrait of "Milkmaid, Galloway of Mr. Leathes", ca. 1722, circle of John Wootton (English, 1682-1765).

Oil on canvas, and inscribed l.r.; 38" x 45.5" (sight), 46" x 53.5" (framed)

The oil on woven canvas is likely ca. 1722-1723, as "Milkmaid" is listed in period turf registers as being born to "sire Whartons Snail and Shields Galloway" (1720), and a certain "Mr. Leathes" is periodically mentioned as an owner of racing thoroughbreds throughout the 1720s.

Milkmaid appears in this portrait at Newmarket Heath, the famed training grounds, in full profile, amidst a background of horses training in the distance. To the right is the brick structure that made frequent appearances in other of Wootton's and his contemporaries' subjects of the same period Inscribed to the lower right in the foreground stone is the name of the subject, in a stylized script meant to imitate carved into stone. Wootton periodically signed his work in this manner.

John Wootton (English, 1682-1785) was a celebrated painter of sporting and equestrian subjects during the early 18th century. He is thought to have received his training from Jan Wyck, and boasted many aristocratic patrons for his depictions of racing horses. A commonly visited location was Newmarket Heath, the training grounds favored by many a breeder/owner, and likely a convenient backdrop for artists such as Wootton. Often his equestrian portraits contained a similar setting such as the one depicted here, with a brick structure emerging from the right side, and activity in the background.

The work is on a hand woven 18th century canvas, which has been trimmed and relined. Inpainting is evident in several areas, including a pair of repaired tears, and then a light scattering of areas which likely flaked over time. A superb rendering of a notable thoroughbred with close connection to the famed Wootton.

Previously collected by the head designer of Shillito's Department store in Cincinnati, OH

Purchased from the above by Dr. Peter D. Shapleigh, Cincinnati, OH

Descended in the family
Condition Report: Inpainting in areas, especially two repaired tears. The canvas was trimmed and relined to another canvas, frame is contemporary. Some modest bubbling in areas. In a fine state of preservation considering age.