Clifton TomsonBritish, (1775-1828)Bay Hunter & Foal in a LandscapeOil on canvas, signed, inscribed Nottingham & dated 1826Image size: 23.25 inches x 29 inches Size including frame: 29.5 inches x 35.25 inchesProvenance: Richard Green, New Bond Street, LondonA fine horse portrait oil painting of a bay hunter and foal in a landscape by Clifton Tomson. The mare is shown standing side on in an open landscape next to her dark brown foal. The technique of placing thoroughbred horses against a landscape backdrop was commonly used by artists of the period to emphasise the horse�s fine proportions. The portrait was probably commissioned by the horse�s owner to celebrate the successful foaling out of a pedigree dam and sire.Clifton Tomson was born in Nottingham in 1775, the son of William and Mary Tomson. Little is known about his early life but he is recorded as becoming an apprentice Framework Knitter to John Rothwell of Nottingham in 1790 at the age of 15. However, it became apparent that his talents lay in another direction and his master allowed him to take art lessons from Mr Bonington, a drawing master and father of the artist Richard Parkes Bonington. Under Bonington�s tutelage, Tomson developed his artistic skills and decided to pursue a career as an artist when his apprenticeship came to an end.At some point he began to specialise in paintings of animals, particularly sporting horses. Horseracing had become hugely popular in the area, with racing regularly taking place at Nottingham and the Doncaster Cup and St Leger Stakes at nearby Doncaster from the late 1770�s. Having established himself as an artist, he married Grace Brailsford on 22 January, 1797 at St Peter�s Church, Nottingham. Together the couple lived at Pepper Alley in Nottingham where they started a family. His son William (b1808) also became an artist. The family later moved to Park Street where Tomson set up a studio.From his base, he would spend his time travell...