Benton Fine Art has dated this Antique Horse Oil Painting to the 1900s.
British, (1843-1928)
Bay Horse in a Stable
Oil on canvas, signed
Image size: 19.25 inches x 23.25 inches
Size including frame: 25.75 inches x 29.75 inches
A well-executed sporting horse portrait by Albert Clark of a bay horse in a stable.
The horse also bears a docked tail, a common practice for hunter and hackney horses of the period. To the far right, a blue and yellow check blanket with the monogram ‘FC’ can be seen draped over a horse trough. Although the names of the horse and its owner have been lost over time, it is highly likely the portrait would most likely have been commissioned to celebrate the horse’s sporting achievements.
Albert Clark was born on 29 October 1843 in Hoxton London into the Clark family of artists. His father was the animal painter James Lawrence Clark (1812-1909) and his mother was Elizabeth London. His brothers Samuel James Clark (1841-1928), Octavius Thomas Clark (1850-1921) and half-brother James Albert Clark (1863-1955) all became artists. Two of his children Frederick Albert Clark (1869-1954) and William Albert Clark (1880-1963) also inherited the Clark talent for painting.
Given the similarity in style and subject matter, it is highly likely he was taught by his father alongside his brothers. He made his debut at an early age, being recorded as an artist at the age of just 17. His subjects initially followed that of his father and included horses, cattle and dogs. However, Albert soon began to specialise in horse portraits and received many commissions to paint race horses and show winners.
He married Ellen Parsons on 2 April, 1868 and together they had 4 children (Frederick Albert Clark being the youngest) and lived at 64 Shepperton Cottages, Islington. After the death of his first wife, he married Harriet Jane Ireland on 19 June, 1875. Together they had 3 more children, one of whom was William Albert Clark.
By 1881, he had moved to 81 Riversdale Road, Islington living on the same road as his father until his death in 1884. After this time, he set up a studio at his home with his son Frederick Albert who lived close by. Although they spent time working on their own paintings, they also collaborated on a number works which were signed Albert Clark and Son. It is possible that his youngest son William Albert may also have helped with these paintings.
This period seems to have coincided with him becoming deaf which could be one of the reasons he took up the partnership with his son for a time. Despite his hearing loss, Clark continued to travel around gaining commissions to paint prize winning horses. His second wife died in 1896 and sometime after 1901, he moved to the Seven Sisters Road in Tottenham where he spent the rest of his life. He died at Middlesex Hospital on 18 December, 1928.
Examples of his works can be found at the Totnes Elizabethan House Museum and Doncaster Museum.
Presentation: The work is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition.
Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.
© Benton Fine Art
Benton Fine Art has dated this Antique Horse Oil Painting to the 1900s.
Specialists in 19th & early 20th century original oil paintings by listed artists
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Horse portrait oil painting of a bay horse in a stable by Albert Clark
