Lot Essay
Tom Nickalls became Master of the Surrey Staghounds in 1878. The hunt was formed from a pack started by the 14th Earl of Derby at his kennels at The Oaks, Woodmersterne. On Nickalls' appointment as Master an entirely new staff was appointed, and the hounds were removed to new kennels built by him at Nutfield. After fifteen seasons Nickalls retired, and after the First World War the pack was disbanded.
Robert Nightingale was a painter of landscape, portraits and equestrian subjects. One of his most important patrons was Henry, 1st Viscount Chaplin (1840-1923), one of the greatest devotees of the turf. Nightingale collaborated with his son Basil in painting 'Hermit', one of his most celebrated pictures, and Chaplin's winner of The Derby in 1867. Having trained at the Royal Academy Schools, he exhibited there and at Royal Society of British Artists. For much of his life he worked in Maldon, Essex.
Robert Nightingale was a painter of landscape, portraits and equestrian subjects. One of his most important patrons was Henry, 1st Viscount Chaplin (1840-1923), one of the greatest devotees of the turf. Nightingale collaborated with his son Basil in painting 'Hermit', one of his most celebrated pictures, and Chaplin's winner of The Derby in 1867. Having trained at the Royal Academy Schools, he exhibited there and at Royal Society of British Artists. For much of his life he worked in Maldon, Essex.