Victorian Sporting Painting: The Meet (The Berkeley Hunt) c.1880 – Charles Faulkner
(This work is number 1 in a set of 4. The other three paintings in the hunting series are available to purchase separately. If you wish to acquire all four together, please send a message.)
Subject & Medium
Executed in oil on board, this painting depicts The Meet—the ceremonial gathering of huntsmen and hounds before the day’s chase begins. Set in Berkeley Vale, Gloucestershire, the historic heartland of the Berkeley Hunt, the work captures the composure, etiquette, and quiet anticipation that precede the excitement of the hunt.
The rigid board support allows for the crisp detail, refined contours, and atmospheric precision that define Faulkner’s sporting works.
Composition & Technique
Faulkner constructs a calm and disciplined prelude to the action. Huntsmen in traditional scarlet coats assemble in considered formation, some conversing, others adjusting reins or tack. In the middle di
...stance, the hounds and whippers-in wait attentively, their pale coats catching the soft morning light.
The winter hedgerows and bare trees are rendered in deep browns, muted umbers, and earthy greens—evoking the late-season landscape of Berkeley Vale. Above, an overcast sky spreads across the scene, painted in cool greys and subdued blue tones, giving a sense of atmosphere and restrained movement.
The palette balances the warmth of the scarlet coats against the quiet tones of the landscape, a hallmark of Victorian sporting art.
Faulkner’s brushwork is sensitive and deliberate:
• Fine, controlled strokes define the horses’ musculature and the riders’ attire
• Short, textured strokes animate the clouded sky
• Layered highlights suggest sheen on coats and tack
• Quick, lively marks describe the clustered hounds
• Subtle scumbling and glazing unify hedgerows and middle distance
The result is a scene rich in ceremony and character—an accomplished Victorian portrayal of the hunt’s opening chapter.
About the Artist – Charles Faulkner (Active c.1874–1900)
Faulkner was a Victorian sporting painter known for his dynamic depictions of foxhunting, equestrian subjects, and English rural life. His work is admired for:
• Accurate, sensitive treatment of horses and hounds
• Clear narrative rhythm and compositional control
• Faithful representation of hunt customs and costume
Faulkner’s canvases remain sought-after examples of nineteenth-century British sporting art.
Signature
Signed “C. Faulkner” lower right.
Framing
Recently reframed in a decorative Larson-Juhl moulding and fitted with AR70 low-reflection, UV-protective glass. The glazing improves clarity, reduces glare, protects against fading, and enhances tonal balance, giving the work a museum-quality finish.
Framed dimensions: 41 cm (W) × 26.5 cm (H) × 4 cm (D)
A refined, versatile format well suited to studies, libraries, hallways, and curated gallery walls.
Provenance
• Gloucestershire Art & Antiques Dealer
• Harriet Wynter, Interior Decorations & Antiques, Brighton
• Private Collection
• Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
• Exhibited at the Lord Hill Museum, Shropshire (2025)
Why It Stands Out
• Rare, atmospheric depiction of The Berkeley Hunt
• Strong Victorian equestrian narrative with detailed observation
• Balanced palette of warm scarlets and quiet earth tones
• Authentic brushwork, confident draughtsmanship, and solid composition
• Museum-exhibited with reliable and well-documented provenance
• Upgraded with Larson-Juhl framing and AR70 protective glazing
Condition
In good condition for its age (c.1880).
The surface shows fine, natural craquelure and some foxing in the sky, consistent with Victorian oils. Very minor paint loss is visible in areas of the lower grass.
The varnish layer is clear and even. The board is flat, stable, and free from warping.
The Larson-J
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Internal Reference: 743
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1178893
Dateline of this antique is Victorian
Height is 26.5cm (10.4inches)Width is 41cm (16.1inches)Depth is 4cm (1.6inches)
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