WWII Hunting Masterpiece – The Badsworth Hunt on Foot, Easingwold by George Anderson Short
Subject & Medium
An outstanding original watercolour on paper by George Anderson Short (1856–1945) depicting
“The Badsworth Hunt on Foot, Easingwold Boxing Day Meet, 1943 — Hounds from Thorpe Audlin Kennels under the Mastership of Major Vernon Hugh Gamester, C.B.E., and Joint Master Charles Lyon.”
Painted in wartime Yorkshire, this evocative scene preserves one of England’s most enduring country traditions — the Boxing Day Hunt Meet — at a time when rural life carried on in the face of national hardship.
Composition & Technique
Short’s later style is defined by mastery of tone and restraint. In this 1943 watercolour, he uses transparent washes and fine brushwork to capture the crisp clarity of a winter’s morning, depicting the poised hounds and composed gathering with remarkable precision.
His muted palette of earth ochres, soft greys, and wintry blues reflects both the auste
...rity and quiet dignity of wartime England. The measured composition — figures grouped against open ground and frosted hedgerows — invites reflection on continuity, community, and resilience.
This is a deeply humane work, where technical finesse meets emotional resonance, painted when the artist was nearly ninety years old.
About the Hunt
The Badsworth Hunt, established in 1730, was one of Yorkshire’s most historic foxhound packs.
By 1943, wartime fuel rationing curtailed mounted meets, leading to the “hunt on foot” tradition seen here. Major Vernon Hugh Gamester, C.B.E., then in his eighth season as Master, and Joint Master Charles Lyon led the Boxing Day meet at Easingwold — a gathering symbolising steadfastness amid uncertainty.
Their hounds came from the renowned Thorpe Audlin kennels, celebrated for maintaining pure English foxhound lines. This painting stands both as a record of rural tradition and as a portrait of national morale, showing how communities held fast to their defining rituals even in wartime.
The Artist: George Anderson Short (1856–1945)
A distinguished Yorkshire-born painter, George Anderson Short dedicated his long life to portraying the landscapes, animals, and people of rural England.
His career bridged the late Victorian and wartime periods, evolving from idyllic pastoral scenes to mature works marked by restraint and quiet reverence.
By the 1940s, Short was among the last surviving artists of his generation. His late watercolours, such as this example, are prized for their documentary value, regional authenticity, and refined emotional tone.
Signed: Lower right, “G.A. Short 1943”
Verso: Titled “The Badsworth Hunt on Foot.”
Authenticity confirmed by exhibition and sale records (see provenance below).
Framing
Recently reframed to museum conservation standards in a Larson Juhl gold leaf moulded frame, paired with a white and gold border mount and protected by AR70 low-reflective, UV-protective glass.
This elegant presentation enhances the period warmth of the painting while ensuring long-term protection and archival safety. Ready to hang and display.
Overall framed dimensions: 58.5 cm (W) × 48.5 cm (H) × 3.5 cm (D)
Provenance
Private Collection, Yorkshire
Lincoln Fine Art Sale (Golding Young Est. 1864), 2023
Title verso: “The Badsworth Hunt on Foot”
Exhibited: Nottinghamshire Dandy and Fine Interiors, curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd.
Catalogue No. 47 in “Fields in Waiting: Rural Traditions During Wartime,” Famous Lord Hill Museum, Autumn 2025
This exemplary provenance confirms both the artwork’s authenticity and its recognised historical importance.
Why You’ll Love It
This painting is not merely a depiction of a hunt — it is a portrait of English endurance and heritage. Short captures a moment when ritual, companionship, and identity were reaffirmed against the backdrop of war.
Highlights:
Authentic
Delivery shipping information
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD ship worldwide, using fully insured and online tracked delivery services like DHL, DPD, Parcelforce or Fedex also the British Shop. We offer Free national Delivery to England mainland, Wales mainland & Scottish lowland mainland areas only.
We offer Free UK mainland delivery only, international shipping to USA, Canada, Europe. All other countries rest of the world please get in touch for a shipping quote.
Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art & Antique pieces which we sell.
We bespoke pack & wrap extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in great as described condition.
For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items which can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approximate. 2-5 working days for the United Kingdom mainland & International delivery between 5-14 working days.
Returns Policy
We offer a 14-day money-back refund policy
(excluding the cost of Postage & Packaging costs & any duties, taxes customs charges paid on buyers behalf or buy the buyer direct ).
CONTACT US:
Please feel free to call us.
We have a friendly & professional team on hand who are here to help you with any queries you may have.
Tel: 07494763382
Outside the UK:
Phone or text: 0044 7494763382
PAYMENT:
Our primary payment method is by (BACS) & International bank wire transfer, we can email you an invoice with our banking details upon request. We no longer accept any Online Card or in person card payments due to payment providers charging us and not returning the processing transaction fee even if an order is fraudulent, cancelled or returned. All Item(s) will need to be settled by bank transfer only. We will email you a proforma invoice with our bank details.
Customs Payment & Brexit
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD operates on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis which means that the International buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes & customs clearance charges and any other customs charges which may be necessary to release an order from international customs.
Following the UK leaving the EU on 1st January 2021 (BREXIT) there have been some changes to customs & duty charges for EU customers. Tax and import duty varies from country to country so we recommend you check with your local tax office to see if any fees will be payable.
If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping charges will be deducted from any refund.
Internal Reference: 739
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1175716
Dateline of this antique is 1940
Height is 48.5cm (19.1inches)Width is 58.5cm (23.0inches)Depth is 3.5cm (1.4inches)
Your credit card is processed securely by Stripe Inc. 
Thank you.
Your comment has been sent to Sellingantiques.