Count Sandor's Hunting Exploits in Leicestershire: No. 1: The Count Floored in the Street of Melton Mowbray, on the First Day of Going to Covert (Primary Title)
Count Sandor's Hunting Exploits in Leicestershire: No. 1: The Count Floored in the Street of Melton Mowbray, on the First Day of Going to Cover (Former Title)
John Ferneley, English, 1782 - 1860 (Artist)
These ten “sketches” record the amusing misadventures of Moritz, Count Sandor, a Hungarian visitor on the hunting field at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, during the season of 1828–29. He himself commissioned this set of small comic paintings from the artist, to whom he paid 30 guineas (he paid Tilbury, the famous horse dealer and carriage designer, 1,000 pounds for the hire of eight horses for the season). The count was described by his daughter, Princess Metternich, as “daring to the point of recklessness,” for which he was much admired in Leicestershire. Unfortunately, repeated falls throughout his life led eventually to brain damage and its consequences until his death in 1878.
not signed
Verso: Scott and Fowles Paintings, 745 Fifth Avenue, NY, 22NY. Represents The Count floored in the streets of Melton Mowbray on the first day of going to cover. He was putting on his gloves when his horse"Cruiser" started at a drain, and sitting loosely at the time, he kssed mother earth. Mellon Label: Ferneley, John E. Snr., Count Sandor's Hunting Exploits in Leicestshire: The count Floored in the Streets of Melton Mowbray, on the First Day of Going to Cover? Painted 1829, oil on canvas. Small white label 63/2/13/31
Frame inscription, lower left: Count Sandor's Hunting Exploits in Leicestershire. Frame inscription, lower middle: The Count Floored in the streets of Melton Mowbray, on the first day of going to cover. He was putting on his gloves when his horse 'Cruiser" started at a drain, and he kissed mother earth."
Paul Mellon Collection
2018-2019: "A Sporting Vision: The Paul Mellon Collection of British Sporting Art from the VMFA", National Sporting Museum & Library, Middleburg, VA, April 13 - July 22, 2018; Frist Art Museum, Nashville, TN, February 2 - May 5, 2019; Frick Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, June 15 - September 8, 2019
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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