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Lot Essay
The horses depicted in this lot are shirehorses. During the Middle Ages these horses were often used for carrying the heavy armory of the knights going to battle. This function became redundant when fire-weapons came into use. It was soon discovered that they were more useful in working the farmlands than the oxen used until this time.
During the 19th century it was popular to breed these animals for horse shows. It became fashionable to commission paintings of these horses by prominent painters, like W.A. Clark. This artist came from a long line of portraitists who depicted price champions. His style is characterised by a slightly naïve way of painting, the placement of the horses 'in profile' and the reins often leading outside the composition.
During the 19th century it was popular to breed these animals for horse shows. It became fashionable to commission paintings of these horses by prominent painters, like W.A. Clark. This artist came from a long line of portraitists who depicted price champions. His style is characterised by a slightly naïve way of painting, the placement of the horses 'in profile' and the reins often leading outside the composition.