Lot Essay
In Sir John Lavery's autobiography, The Life of a Painter, Edinburgh, 1940 pp.174-175, Lavery reminisces about the racing pictures of 1922-3:
'Steve Donoghue came to sit in the King's colours. I had just completed "Ascot in the Rain" and asked him what he thought of it. The horses were nearing the post, and I expected him to criticize the drawing of the animals or the seats of the jockeys. Instead he began praising the picture: "It is beautiful - the most wonderful racing picture I have ever seen." "Now look here, Steve, I want to know what's the matter with it. Suppose you were talking to another Jockey. What would you say?" After some hesitation he replied, "Well I should say the visibility is too great." He was right. There was more detail than could be seen at the moment I had depicted. I brushed half of it away and, entirely owing to him, made a good picture'......
'After my Newmarket experience I thought it might be as well to get properly accredited before attemping the Gold Cup at Ascot. I wrote to the Secretary and explained that I wanted to paint a general impression of the course. Orders came that I was free to choose any spot to paint from, so I choose a corner of the owners' stand where I had the best view. When I arrived I found the place railed off so that I could not be interfered with, so I put up my sketching umbrella and started work. I could not quite understand why every member when he arrived looked anything but pleased. Then I realised that I was in the Holy of Holies, usurping the spot for the high and mighty; and not that alone - my umbrella was blocking the view. I took it down at once and made myself as small as possible just as the rain came dowm in sheets, pouring down my back and mixing with the paints. Having caused so much consternation I had to stand it and two weeks in bed afterwards'
Other race course works include 'Newmarket, Houghton Meeting', 1913 (Private Collection); 'Derby in the Rain' circa I922-3 (Private Collection); and 'Ascot in the Rain' circa 1922-3
'Steve Donoghue came to sit in the King's colours. I had just completed "Ascot in the Rain" and asked him what he thought of it. The horses were nearing the post, and I expected him to criticize the drawing of the animals or the seats of the jockeys. Instead he began praising the picture: "It is beautiful - the most wonderful racing picture I have ever seen." "Now look here, Steve, I want to know what's the matter with it. Suppose you were talking to another Jockey. What would you say?" After some hesitation he replied, "Well I should say the visibility is too great." He was right. There was more detail than could be seen at the moment I had depicted. I brushed half of it away and, entirely owing to him, made a good picture'......
'After my Newmarket experience I thought it might be as well to get properly accredited before attemping the Gold Cup at Ascot. I wrote to the Secretary and explained that I wanted to paint a general impression of the course. Orders came that I was free to choose any spot to paint from, so I choose a corner of the owners' stand where I had the best view. When I arrived I found the place railed off so that I could not be interfered with, so I put up my sketching umbrella and started work. I could not quite understand why every member when he arrived looked anything but pleased. Then I realised that I was in the Holy of Holies, usurping the spot for the high and mighty; and not that alone - my umbrella was blocking the view. I took it down at once and made myself as small as possible just as the rain came dowm in sheets, pouring down my back and mixing with the paints. Having caused so much consternation I had to stand it and two weeks in bed afterwards'
Other race course works include 'Newmarket, Houghton Meeting', 1913 (Private Collection); 'Derby in the Rain' circa I922-3 (Private Collection); and 'Ascot in the Rain' circa 1922-3