William Cook Antiques has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
Judging from an autograph inscription on the back of a horse portrait formerly with Arthur Ackermann & Son, he worked initially for Thomas Butler, a dealer and artist, in Pall Mall, London. Francis Sartorius was based for the whole of his life in London, where he maintained studios and lodgings at various addresses in Soho. However his paintings are far from urban and his entire output is devoted to recording sporting and equestrian themes in all their diversity. Inevitably and given that his patrons were mainly Country Gentleman, he was itinerant, and seems to have painted in many of the counties of England as well as being one of the first purely sporting painters to work in Ireland. He exhibited frequently at the main London venues, such as the Free Society of Artists and the Royal Academy. His style is old-fashioned, and slightly wooden, but his works have about them a timeless and evocative air of charm. It is unusual to see so may riders and hounds in a painting of this period and he wirily fox can be see making his escape in the distance.
The painting was sold by Sotheby’s in 1999 at the content sale of Lyons Demesne, which is considered to be one of the finest country house estates in Ireland. It fetched £34,500 GBP and was purchased by Mallett of London who subsequently sold on again. It has recently been purchased by myself from a private source.
William Cook Antiques has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
Dealers in fine antique furniture, objects and works of art from the late 17th to mid 20th century with the emphesis being on quality
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the William Cook Antiques Profile Page
William Cook Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA CINOA
"Full Cry". A Large 18th Century Hunting Painting by Francis Sartorius
