Benton Fine Art has dated this Antique Equestrian Oil Painting to the Georgian era.
British, (1787-1876)
Mare & Foal in a Meadow, with Windsor Castle in the Distance
Oil on canvas, signed & inscribed ‘Windsor’ & indistinctly dated 1830
Image size: 27 inches x 35 inches
Size including frame: 32.5 inches x 40.5 inches
A white horse is depicted standing side on in a landscape with a bay foal by her side. In the mid ground to the right, can be seen the river Thames with Windsor Castle rising above the meadow in the distance. The view is of the south to southeast side of the castle, most likely taken from Windsor Great Park looking north toward the castle. Bristow lived in the Windsor and Eton area for most of his life and painted a number of views featuring Windsor Castle. He would have known the location very well as it was a short distance from where he lived at the time.
Edmund Bristow was born on 1 April, 1787 in Clewer near Eton, Berkshire to James Bristow, a heraldic painter and Ann Rowles. Little is known about his early life, however it is clear he developed a detailed knowledge of animals and must have received artistic tuition. He began exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1809 at the age of 18 and was living in Windsor at this point and also working from 40, Oxford Street, London. By 1823, he had given up the London base and was living at Park Street in Windsor. He also exhibited at the British Institution, Society of British Artists and Suffolk Street.
Bristow specialised in landscapes and genre scenes usually featuring animals and sporting scenes. However, he also painted a number of portraits of important people including the Scottish botanist William Aiton as well as a series of landscape paintings featuring Windsor and Eton where he lived.
By 1841, he had moved to Eton where he was to remain for the rest of his life. He lived at 155 High Street with his sister Elizabeth and was listed as an artist. By 1861, they had moved a few doors down to number 97 from where he continued working as an artist. Bristow was a bit of a recluse and only had a handful of patrons including Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Clarence, later William IV. He died on 12 February, 1876 at Eton and was buried in Eton Parish Cemetery where his gravestone still lies.
His work is represented in many public collections including the Denver Art Museum, Leicester Museum, Sheffield Museum, Towneley hall Art Gallery, Walker Art Gallery, Wellcome Collection, the Wilson and the Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
Presentation: The painting is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition. The reverse bears a clipping from an old auction catalogue with an entry for the painting, lot 29, possibly Christie’s, December 1916 (?). The clipping also lists the painting’s date as 1830 (see photo).
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 Equestrian Oil Painting to the Georgian era.
Specialists in 19th & early 20th century original oil paintings by listed artists
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Benton Fine Art Profile Page
Benton Fine Art is a registered member of LAPADA BADA CINOA
Sporting Horse Oil Painting of a Mare & Foal Near Windsor Castle by Edmund Bristow
