Lot Essay
Henry Thomas Alken was the son of the artist Samuel Alken Sen. (1756-1815). In 1801 he exhibited miniatures at the Royal Academy and went on to specialize in the portrayal of hunting, coaching and racing scenes. Alken is best known for perhaps one of the most famous sets of sporting prints of all time 'The Night Riders of Nacton', published by R. Ackermann in 1839. He also wrote National Sports of Great Britain, London, 1821.