Joseph Dunn was an accomplished British painter of equestrian subjects.

Dunn was born in Yardley, formerly part of Worcestershire, and little is known of his early years. His father, William Dunn, was a coachman and it’s conceivable that he introduced the young lad to a coach painter who provided an apprenticeship. Coach painting was a common route into an artistic career as it primed a fledgling artist with the basic skills of mixing colours etc.

By 1831, he’d moved to Warwick and was plying his trade for the local landed gentry. Artists who specialised in horse portraiture and hunting scenes tended to work exclusively for the aristocracy rather than via dealers or exhibitions. It was a case of ‘who you knew’ and recommendations were vital.

It appears he moved several times, first to Abergavenny, Wales, next to Clifton in Gloucestershire, and finally to Kings Norton (also formerly part of Worcestershire). His time in King’s Norton led to the moniker of Joseph Dunn of Worcestershire, although today it’s technically part of Birmingham.

Stylistically, his attention to musculature, strong light effects, and ability to capture the spirit of a horse, bring comparisons with the work of John E. Ferneley (1782-1860).

Public Collections

Danum Gallery, Library and Museum.

Timeline

1806

Born in Yardley, Worcestershire. His father, William, was a coachman.

1831

Lived in Warwick, Warwickshire. Occupation recorded on his daughter’s baptismal record as ‘Artist’.

1839

Lived in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales. Occupation recorded on his son’s baptismal record as ‘Animal Painter’.

1841

Lived in Clifton, Gloucestershire, with his wife, Mary, and their three children. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist’.

Presumably his wife and possibly his daughter died.

1851

Lived in Kings Norton, Worcestershire, with his daughter, Ann, son Joseph, and two staff. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist. Painting’.

1860

Died.