The Glad Trong that Goes Laughing Along

'Snaffles' was the son of a bookmaker, Ambrose Payne, in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. His hunting began around 1906 when he was discharged from the Royal Garrison Artillery due to ill health. His time in the army was a strong influence on his work and his first recorded works, mainly full-length semi-caricature portraits, date from this period. He began hunting in the Aldershot area. Between 1911 and 1914, he was with the Leicestershire Yeomanry but left before World War I. In 1912 he moved to Oakham, Rutland and he continued to hunt and this inspired some of his best works. His work became more varied after the War, not only undertaking hunting pictures but also a series of works inspired by a visit to India and military scenes. The present work is the original from which a series of hand-colored prints were made, circa 1911. The hunt is led by the terrier man to the first draw at the beginning of the day.