Victorian Oil Painting: The Death (The Berkeley Hunt) c.1880
By Charles Faulkner
(This work is number 4 of 4 in the series. The other three paintings are available to purchase separately; if you wish to acquire all four together, please send a message.)
Subject & Medium
This finely executed oil on board captures the climactic moment of The Death—the traditional concluding act of an English foxhunt. The subject is associated with The Berkeley Hunt, one of Britain’s oldest and most renowned hunts, with roots extending deep into the Gloucestershire countryside.
Faulkner’s use of a rigid board support allows for tight brush control and crisp definition of horses, hounds, and landscape elements. Layered greys, umbers, and muted greens combine to create the atmospheric unity characteristic of Victorian sporting art.
Composition & Technique
Faulkner structures the narrative around a decisive diagonal sweep, pulling the viewer directly into the urgency of the hunt’s finale
.... The horses are angled with anatomical precision, their musculature defined through short, overlapping strokes. The hounds move together as a disciplined cluster, rendered with rhythmic, curving brushwork.
The surrounding landscape—painted with softer, more atmospheric handling—provides depth without detracting from the central action. Faulkner’s tonal control evokes the cool, overcast light associated with the Gloucestershire region, grounding the scene in a sense of authentic local character.
About the Artist – Charles Faulkner (Active c.1874–1900)
Charles Faulkner was a Victorian painter specialising in equestrian and hunting subjects, producing works admired by country-house collectors and sporting patrons. His paintings are known for:
• Strong anatomical accuracy
• Clear narrative structure and momentum
• Faithful rendering of hounds and horses
• Restrained, earthy palettes typical of nineteenth-century sporting art
Though biographical information is sparse, his authenticated works from the 1870s–1890s show a consistent and confident approach to British rural sport. The signature “C. Faulkner” on this painting matches recorded examples from the period.
Signature
Signed “C. Faulkner,” consistent with verified signatures on his established works.
Framing
Recently reframed in a decorative Larson-Juhl moulding and fitted with AR70 low-reflection, UV-protective glass. This specialist glazing enhances clarity, reduces glare, prevents fading, and improves tonal balance—achieving a museum-quality display.
Framed dimensions: 41 cm (W) × 26.5 cm (H) × 4 cm (D)
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)
This strong provenance provides excellent assurance of authenticity and long-term collector value.
Why It Stands Out
• Rare, atmospheric depiction of The Berkeley Hunt, one of England’s most historic sporting institutions
• A quintessential Victorian foxhunting subject, highly sought after by equestrian and sporting-art collectors
• Museum-exhibited example with elevated cultural and market importance
• Newly framed with Larson-Juhl moulding and AR70 protective glazing for a premium, gallery-ready presentation
• Compact and versatile size suitable for libraries, studies, hallways, and curated gallery walls
• Vivid sense of movement, tension, and rural atmosphere—classic Faulkner field-sport storytelling
• Ideal addition for collections of equestrian art, Victorian painting, or British country-house interiors
Condition
The painting is in good overall condition for its age (c.1880).
The surface shows stable Victorian brushwork with short, directional strokes typical of Faulkner’s technique.
Fine natural micro-craquelure is present, along with some foxi
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Internal Reference: 746
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1178906
Dateline of this antique is 19th Century
Height is 26.5cm (10.4inches)Width is 41cm (16.1inches)Depth is 4cm (1.6inches)
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