Frank Griggs (British, 20th Century)

Description

Gordon Richards atop Rose of England
signed and dated 'FRANK GRIGGS / NEWMARKET 1930' (lower left) and inscribed lower right with the names of the horse and jockey
oil on canvas
49 x 67cm

Provenance:
Landwade Hall, Exning, Suffolk

Footnote:

Rose of England (1927 – after 1943) was the progeny of Teddy (1913-1936), arguably one of the most influential sires of the 20th century. She was bred by Lady James Douglas in the United Kingdom and sold at auction as a yearling in 1928 to Lord Glanely for 3,100 guineas. Lord Glanely entered her into training with Thomas Hogg in Newmarket. During her racing career, she finished fifth in her debut race at the 1000 Guineas in Newmarket and only came first once at Epsom Oaks in 1930, finishing with a time of 2:39.00. Following Lord Glanely’s death in 1942, Rose of England was sold to Florence Nagel and went on to have a successful life as a broodmare producing five winners between 1932 and 1943.

Condition report:

61 x 79cm framed

Oil on canvas which is not lined. The canvas tension is slack and there are soft undulations across the surface. The paint layer is in an unstable condition. There are areas of raised paint across the surface with small scattered losses. At the reverse of the painting where the canvas extends around the back of the stretcher, the ground layer is also cracked and raised and it would appear that this is the cause of the problem. There is a thin layer of varnish present which has become yellowed with age. Surface dirt and brown accretions are present.