From its Paul Mellon Collection, VMFA presents works by John R. Skeaping one of the premier English equestrian artists of the 20th century. The bronzes and watercolors on view are among the many acquired by Mellon and reflect the passion for horses and racing shared between artist and collector.
Trained as a sculptor, Skeaping experimented with different materials in his early career before focusing on bronze, which he believed best suited to the depiction of horses, both in motion and at rest. He developed a naturalistic and unsentimental approach to sporting art through study of equine anatomy and observation of movement and posture. The racetrack served as his primary source of inspiration.
Skeaping sought to raise the quality and profile of sporting art in the modern era. He was committed to thoughtfully portraying the individuality of each horse. Such renderings led to private commissions for equestrian portraits, including several from Mellon.
TOP OF PAGE Turning to Go Down, 1976, John R. Skeaping (English, 1901–1980), bronze. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Paul Mellon Collection, 85.703