Some of the best harts in the forest

The present drawing appears to be based on another pastel of the same title which forms part of a triptych and was commissioned by Lord Breadalbane. Landseer spent many weeks shooting and painting at Blackmount, Lord Breadalbane's estate in the highlands, where the 6th Earl and Countess of Tankerville were also frequent guests. It seems likely that Lady Tankerville commissioned this drawing after admiring the earlier work.