Thomas Gooch (1750-c.1803)
Thomas Gooch (1750-c.1803)

Portrait of Thomas Sebright with Hounds of the New Forest Hunt, in a wooded landscape

Details
Thomas Gooch (1750-c.1803)
Portrait of Thomas Sebright with Hounds of the New Forest Hunt, in a wooded landscape
signed and dated 'Thomas Gooch 1803' (lower right) and with inscription 'Portrait of Thos Sebright with 3 favourite Hounds belonging to the New forest Hunt' (on an old label attached to the frame)
oil on canvas
19¾ x 24¼ in. (50 x 61.6 cm.)

Lot Essay

The New Forest Hunt was founded in 1781 by Vincent Hawkins Gilbert who was celebrated as a great breeder of hounds of tremendous bone and 'as big as a deer'. His huntsman latterly was Tom Sebright who, on Gilbert's retirement in 1800, continued under John Compton.

Although Gooch's dates have generally been given as 1750-1802, neither his birth nor his death date is known. In 1800 Gooch moved to Hampshire, first living at Bramdean near Alresford, and the following year moving to Lyndhurst in the New Forest. Although he last exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1802, Sir Walter Gilbey simply states that after this date 'we lose sight of him' (Animal Painters, 1900). There is however, a print engraved by T. Hill and published by Gooch in 1803.

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