Painting Kitty Hunter Mare of Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray Hunt Stables

“Kitty” – Hunter Mare of the Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray Hunt Stables

Murray McNeel Caird Urquhart (1880–1972)

Subject & Medium

A signed and dated oil on canvas equestrian portrait of Kitty, a bay hunter mare, shown saddled and standing in her stable. Painted in 1928 by Scottish-born artist Murray Urquhart, whose training in Edinburgh, London, and Paris is reflected in his masterful use of light and texture.

Layers of glaze give Kitty’s coat a luminous depth, while warm ochres and cool greys describe the rustic stable with authenticity.

Composition & Style

Kitty is depicted in a classic three-quarter stance, emphasizing her fine conformation.

Rich siennas and umbers model her musculature

Ochres and greys capture the timbers and stone floor

Highlights in the girth, saddle, and eye bring vitality to the portrait

Urquhart balances precision in the horse and tack with looser impressionistic brushwork in the background, blending British sporting tradition with Parisian influence.

The Horse & the Hunt

Kitty, a Thoroughbred-type hunter mare aged around 7–10 years, shows the stamina and courage required for the demanding Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray Hunt (CL&C) country of West Sussex — chalk downs, wooded valleys, and heavy clay.

Commissioned as a tribute to her service, this portrait also honours the family’s long association with one of England’s most celebrated packs.

The Artist

Murray McNeel Caird Urquhart (1880–1972)

Studied at Edinburgh School of Art, Westminster, and Académie Julian, Paris

Exhibited at the Royal Academy, the New English Art Club, and the Paris Salon

Known for landscapes, portraits, and animal studies

Works continue to appear at major salerooms, achieving up to US $13,000

Inscriptions

Lower left: Signed Murray Urquhart, dated 1928

Upper right: Title KITTY

Frame

Original 1920s beechwood frame, warm-stained with natural patina.

Surface wear and small losses consistent with age, but structurally sound and ready to hang.

Dimensions

Framed: 57 cm (W) × 49 cm (H) × 2 cm (D)

Provenance

Private equestrian collection, Chichester (by repute linked to CL&C Hunt stables)

Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

Exhibited at the Lord Hill Museum

Collector Highlights

Rare signed and dated Urquhart equestrian portrait

Strong hunt connections to the CL&C, one of England’s finest packs

Provenance with private collection, curation, and museum exhibition

Original period frame with charm and authenticity

A fine addition for collectors of sporting, equestrian, or British country house art

Condition Report

Original canvas, stable and well-tensioned

Excellent paint surface, with light age craquelure only

Signature and inscription clear

Frame with minor abrasions and some losses, structurally sound

Fine condition — ready to hang

Worldwide Shipping

Professionally packed and fully insured for secure delivery.

A timeless tribute to horse, hunt, and heritage.

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