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Lot Essay
The present work is thought to be an imaginary scene. The colours shown represent some of the most prestigious owners in the latter part of the 19th Century; the leading group includes those of the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Westminster, Henry Chaplin, Lord Zetland, Lord Rothschild and the Duke of Portland.
Isaac Cullin started his professional painting career as a portrait painter, and it has been suggested that he turned to equestrian portraiture owing to the added financial benefits. His best known works include The Saddling Room, Newmarket which dates from 1886 (Sotheby's, London, 17 November 1971, lot 105) and The Weighing-in Room, Epsom. The latter was re-produced as an engraving. In 1883 he collaborated with J.A. Wheeler on the portrait of Zoedene, the Grand National winner of that year who was owned, and in the picture ridden, by Count Kinsky. Between 1893 and 1894 he contributed sporting illustrations to the Illustrated London News.
In 1897 he completed a large work, with the same dimensions as the present picture, entitled The 1896 Derby. The race was won by Persimmon, a bay colt by St Simon out of Perdita II trained by Richard Marsh at Newmarket. The colt brought the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, the first of three victories in the Derby. Royalty had not won the Derby since 1788, when Sir Thomas, owned by the then Prince of Wales, later King George IV, beat Lord Grosvenor's Aurelius. The 1896 Derby was sold at Christie's London, 4 November 1994, lot 180a (£28,750).
Isaac Cullin started his professional painting career as a portrait painter, and it has been suggested that he turned to equestrian portraiture owing to the added financial benefits. His best known works include The Saddling Room, Newmarket which dates from 1886 (Sotheby's, London, 17 November 1971, lot 105) and The Weighing-in Room, Epsom. The latter was re-produced as an engraving. In 1883 he collaborated with J.A. Wheeler on the portrait of Zoedene, the Grand National winner of that year who was owned, and in the picture ridden, by Count Kinsky. Between 1893 and 1894 he contributed sporting illustrations to the Illustrated London News.
In 1897 he completed a large work, with the same dimensions as the present picture, entitled The 1896 Derby. The race was won by Persimmon, a bay colt by St Simon out of Perdita II trained by Richard Marsh at Newmarket. The colt brought the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, the first of three victories in the Derby. Royalty had not won the Derby since 1788, when Sir Thomas, owned by the then Prince of Wales, later King George IV, beat Lord Grosvenor's Aurelius. The 1896 Derby was sold at Christie's London, 4 November 1994, lot 180a (£28,750).