What defines Victorian equestrian portraiture?

Victorian equestrian portraiture emerged during the nineteenth century as artists documented horses with anatomical precision, focusing on breed characteristics and conformation. These works typically depict animals in side-profile views against stable backgrounds or natural estate settings.

What materials were traditionally used in nineteenth-century horse oil paintings?

Artists used oil pigments ground with drying oils, applied onto stretched linen or cotton canvas. Frames were typically crafted from solid wood or composition mouldings finished with gold leaf or natural wood veneers.

How can an authentic Victorian oil painting be identified?

Authentic oil paintings from this era often display natural age craquelure across the paint surface, canvas darkening on the reverse, hand-carved or period-appropriate frames, and artist signatures along the lower corners.

How do you style an antique horse portrait in a modern interior?

Equestrian portraits function as focal points when hung above timber sideboards, mantelpieces, or panelled hallway walls. Combining traditional oil art with modern minimalist furniture creates visual contrast in contemporary spaces.

How should an antique oil painting on canvas be preserved?

Oil paintings should be hung away from direct sunlight, moisture, and fluctuating heat sources. Dusting should be performed gently with a soft dry brush, and professional conservation is recommended for varnish cleaning.

for sale €3,978 $4,318

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Antique Equine Portrait

19th Century Horse Artwork

Id #SA1230137

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Horse Portrait Oil Painting of a Dappled Buckskin Horse by Albert Clark

Name: Horse Portrait Oil Painting of a Dappled Buckskin Horse by Albert Clark
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1230137
Price: 3400 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Benton Fine Art

Description

Albert Clark

British, (1843-1928)

Dappled Buckskin Horse in a Stable

Oil on canvas, signed

Image size: 19 inches x 22.75 inches

Size including frame: 24 inches x 27.75 inches

A fine sporting horse portrait of a dappled buckskin horse in a stable by Albert Clark. A stallion can be seen standing side on facing left in a straw filled stable. He is posed with his head turned slightly towards the viewer to reveal a white blaze down his face. To the far left, a blanket with the initial ‘H’ is shown draped over a feeding trough. The striking coat colour of the horse and bobbed tail indicate he was most likely used as a carriage or riding horse.

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 painting is housed in a period English made bird’s eye maple 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

Physical Dimensions

Height

61cm (24.02")

Width

70.5cm (27.76")

Depth

3.5cm (1.38")

Declaration

Benton Fine Art has dated this Victorian Horse Oil Painting to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1230137

Dealers Notes

Members of the British Antique Dealers Association (BADA) the London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association (LAPADA).

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Viewing is by APPOINTMENT ONLY. However, we can also arrange for you to view the item in your home, depending on the location.

For a wider range of stock please visit www.bentonfineart.com.

If you would like to purchase this item or have any questions, please email us at pictures@bentonfineart.com or call 07710 540549.

© Benton Fine Art

Description

Albert Clark

British, (1843-1928)

Dappled Buckskin Horse in a Stable

Oil on canvas, signed

Image size: 19 inches x 22.75 inches

Size including frame: 24 inches x 27.75 inches

A fine sporting horse portrait of a dappled buckskin horse in a stable by Albert Clark. A stallion can be seen standing side on facing left in a straw filled stable. He is posed with his head turned slightly towards the viewer to reveal a white blaze down his face. To the far left, a blanket with the initial ‘H’ is shown draped over a feeding trough.

“

The striking coat colour of the horse and bobbed tail indicate he was most likely used as a carriage or riding horse.

Benton Fine Art

fig 1. Horse Portrait Oil Painting of a Dappled Buckskin Horse by Albert Clark

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.

fig 2. Horse Portrait Oil Painting of a Dappled Buckskin Horse by Albert Clark

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.

fig 3. Horse Portrait Oil Painting of a Dappled Buckskin Horse by Albert Clark

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.

fig 4. Horse Portrait Oil Painting of a Dappled Buckskin Horse by 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.

fig 5. Horse Portrait Oil Painting of a Dappled Buckskin Horse by Albert Clark

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.

fig 6. Horse Portrait Oil Painting of a Dappled Buckskin Horse by Albert Clark

Examples of his works can be found at the Totnes Elizabethan House Museum and Doncaster Museum.

Presentation: The painting is housed in a period English made bird’s eye maple 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.