Count Sandor's Hunting Exploits in Leicestershire: No. 8: The Count on "Cruiser" Flying over his Head into the Lane Below (Primary 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.
inscribed "J.F." in lower right
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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