“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 traditio
...n 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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Internal Reference: 727
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1169368
Dateline of this antique is 1920
Height is 49cm (19.3inches)Width is 57cm (22.4inches)Depth is 2cm (0.8inches)
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