Edward Corbet was a popular British artist predominantly known for his sporting scenes and portraits of animals. Born in the idyllic Hampshire village of Selbourne, he was raised on a farm and developed an advanced understanding of livestock from an early age.

Vincent Corbet, Edward’s father, was well-versed in equestrian matters and a horse breeder of repute. During the 1830s, a newspaper report refers to his sale of “32 brood mares, colts, hunters, hackneys, and draught horses”. At the time, together with his family, he was residing at Scotsgrove House in Thame, which dates to the 15th century. From here, the family removed to the substantial estate of Nethercote Manor in Lewknor, where he kept racehorses for Richard Paul Jodrell (1781-1861). As such the young Edward was surrounded by paddocks, giving him plenty of opportunity to sketch from life in the open air.

Like many of his provincial peers, Edward Corbet was kept busy by the requirements of the aristocracy with little requirement to exhibit his works. Patrons included William Blenkiron, the owner of the Middle Park Stud in Kent, who commissioned him to paint the stallions ‘Saunterer’ and ‘Marsyas’. Along with Thomas Harvey Dutton Bayly of Edwinstowe House, Nottinghamshire, Master of the Rufford Hounds.

Here, in this piece from 1880, he’s depicted Dutton Bayly’s dark bay hunter, ‘Black Jack’, in a stable. The commission was probably a direct result of it winning a blue riband that year at the ‘Alexandra Park Horse Show’, of which Edward was a co-founder. A newspaper report referred to ’Black Jack’ as “a wonderfully-shaped horse, standing 16 hands”.

Aside from his works in oil, over the years, Edward developed a solid reputation as a prominent illustrator for the sporting press working for several publications including ​​The Farmer’s Magazine, The Sporting Review, and The Sporting Magazine. His brother, Henry, was a respected agricultural writer and the editor of ‘The Mark Lane Express Agricultural Journal’, which undoubtedly created various opportunities. Examples of his work are held at the British Museum.

NB - contradictory records exist online relating to Edward Corbet’s name and date of birth. We’ve verified his details via the ancestry archives and, although being born Edward Corbett, his surname was shortened to ‘Corbet’. He is unrelated to the French artist, Edouard Joseph Corbet (1772-1825).

Timeline

1823

Born in Selbourne, Hampshire, to Vincent Corbett (b. 1796), a gentleman who kept racehorses for Richard Paul Jodrell (1781-1861), and Catherine Corbett. Baptised Edward Corbett.

Lived at Scotsgrove House, Thame, Oxfordshire.

1841

Lived in Lewknor, Oxfordshire, with his parents and siblings, probably at Nethercote Manor, which had an extensive farm.

1850

Published in ‘The Sporting Review’ with ‘How The Race Was Won’, engraved by Mr Hunt - possibly Charles Hunt (1803-1877).

1851

Lived in Paddington, London. Occupation recorded as ‘Animal Painter’.

1861

Lived in Chelsea, London, with his mother, brother (Henry Corbet), sister, niece and servants. Occupation recorded as ‘Animal Painter’.

1862

Published in ‘The Sporting Magazine’ with a picture of ‘Sir John Barleycorn’. Described as a “very rising artist”.

1863

Published in ‘The Farmer’s Magazine’ with a portrait of ‘Dagobert’ “the most famous show horse of his day having won first prizes as the best thoroughbred stallion.” “Now the property of Mr Bland of Boston.”

1866

Received commissions from William Blenkiron, owner of the Middle Park Stud in Kent, to paint the stallions Saunterer and Marsyas.

1868

Published in ‘The Farmer’s Magazine’ with ‘On The Flags’, a sporting scene.

1871

Lived in Battersea, London, with his wife Emily, and daughter, Rose. Occupation recorded as ‘Animal Painter’.
Together with his brother, Henry Corbet, he established the Alexandra Park Horse Show.

1881

Lived in Battersea, London, with his wife Emily, and daughter, Rose. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist & Author’.

1891

Lived in Battersea, London, with his wife Emily, daughter, Rose, and Maria J Marton, a boarder. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist Animals’.

1899

Died in Wandsworth, London.