Il Corso

This painting, a sketch for which was exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1860, no. 288, as The Horse Race at Rome, depicts the Spring Equine Festival which took place during the Carnival of 1859 (February 24 to March 7). The event took place in the Piazza del Popolo; the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo and the entrance to the Villa Borghese are visible in the background. Attending the spectacle in that year was the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, here seen seated to the fore of a hired balcony overlooking the Corso, accompanied by several members of his entourage. Known to be travelling with the Prince at this time were Colonel and Mrs Bruce; the Prince's classical tutor, Tarver, and his wife; Captain Charles Grey, who joined the Prince as equerry; the Rev. T.K. Chambers, the Prince's chaplain and archaeological tutor; and Dr. Chalmers, a medical attendant. Some of these courtiers are undoubtedly depicted in the present picture. At the close of the Carnival, the Prince of Wales wrote in his diary: 'The good temper of the people was very observable. For in spite of the pushing and the roughness of the play perfect good humour prevailed, and one could not help thinking how much violence and quarrelling would ensue if such amusement were attempted in Regent Street' (Sir Sidney Lee, King Edward VII: A Biography, 1925, vol. I, p. 62).

Thomas Jones Barker, an artist known mainly for his depictions of the Napoleonic and Crimean Wars, trained under Horace Vernet in Paris. He exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1845 and 1876, and also at the British Institution and Suffolk Street.

We are grateful to Mrs Sue Sloman of the Victoria Art Gallery, Bath, for her help in preparing this entry.