This mid-19th-century oil painting by English sporting artist Samuel Spode (1798-1872) depicts a dark bay hunter standing in a gently undulating landscape. Spode was the grandson of Josiah Spode, founder of the renowned Spode porcelain works.
Shown in full profile, the horse's body is carefully aligned to emphasise its proportions. Its dark coat is handled with restraint, with the musculature suggested through subtle shifts in tone. A single white sock at the rear hoof provides an accent, anchoring the figure. The head is alert, with ears forward.
A slender tree to the right introduces a vertical counterpoint, echoing the upright stance of the horse and guiding the eye across the composition. The light, likely that of early morning or late afternoon, provides a calm, almost contemplative atmosphere. Beyond, the low hills recede into the distance beneath a pale sky.
Spode’s work belongs to a distinct tradition of 19th-century sporting art. His clients, often drawn from the gentry, military, and hunting circles, valued accuracy above all else. A horse such as this was a subject of pride, identity, and investment.
As noted in contemporary accounts, his ability to capture a “striking similitude” was central to his reputation, enabling owners to recognise their animals immediately. In this way, the painting serves as both a portrait and a document.
Born into the distinguished Spode family of Staffordshire, yet largely self-taught as an artist, Samuel Spode forged a career through persistence and adaptability. His itinerant life, moving between England and Ireland in search of commissions, indicates his desire to forge a solid career. He was trained as a lawyer and could've opted for an entirely different career.
By the mid-19th century, he'd completed numerous portraits for a loyal clientele. Our work was acquired in England, but it sits comfortably alongside similar depictions from his time in Ireland during the 1850s and 1860s.
Signed/dated in the lower left and held in a splendid 19th-century gilt frame with Rococo revival ornament, including shell motifs, and scrolling foliage.
Learn more about Samuel Spode in our directory.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 31½” x 27½” / 80cm x 70cm
Year of creation: c. 1850
Labels & Inscriptions: The portrait bears a date of 1819 in the lower left, but this has been strengthened by a later restorer. It's unlikely that the painting was produced in 1819, as it fits stylistically with his output during the mid-19th century. The original date, which has eroded, could conceivably have read 1849.
Provenance: Private collection, UK.
Condition: Cleaned. Canvas relined. Fine craquelure throughout. The paint layer is stable. Frame with various marks and showing its age.
Artist’s auction maximum: £26,214 achieved in 2012 for ‘King Charles Spaniel (1835)'.
Our reference: BRV2289
