JOHN FERNELY SNR (1782-1860) An Egyptian Pony, ‘Whisperer’...

JOHN FERNELY SNR (1782-1860)
An Egyptian Pony, ‘Whisperer’ with Two Irish Terriers and a Goat by a Stream in an Irish Landscape
Oil on canvas, 71 x 92cm
Signed and dated 1809

Provenance: with Leggatt Brothers, London, from whom acquired by John McDougald (1908-1978) of Ontario, Canada; by whose widow sold 1999, Sotheby’s, New York, 31 January 1999 to the present owner ($23,000); Mrs and Mrs McDougald were distinguished Canadian racehorse owners whose most famous thoroughbred was probably Nijinsky’s Secret; Private Collection since 1999.

For biographical information on Ferneley and his times in Ireland, see note to the previous lot. From its subject matter, size and date, this painting is very likely to be identifiable as one listed in the artist's account book no. 16: ‘Lord Belmore of Castlecoale (sic), May 1809, Portrait of a brown Egyptian Pony 3 feet by 2 feet 4 inches, £10 10s 0d’.