British Antique Oil Painting in the Manner of Sir Alfred Munnings C1912 Equine Portrait the Mint Chestnut Thoroughbred Stallion in Stable

Details

Description

Fine British Work of Art — Antique Oil on Canvas In the manner of Sir Alfred Munnings (1878–1959) Equine Portrait: … Read more Fine British Work of Art — Antique Oil on Canvas In the manner of Sir Alfred Munnings (1878–1959) Equine Portrait: “The Mint,” Chestnut Thoroughbred Stallion in Stable

Overview
A distinguished early 20th-century equestrian portrait by the artist Timothy B. Whitby, executed in August 1912 and signed lower left. The picture is painted in the manner of Sir Alfred Munnings — sharing that artist’s warm palette, fluid brushwork and respectful treatment of equine anatomy — without asserting an attribution to Munnings himself. The work presents a finely observed side-profile of the chestnut stallion “The Mint” within a rustic stable interior, rendered with both anatomical precision and painterly atmosphere.

Subject & Medium
Oil on canvas, signed and dated “Aug 1912” (lower corner). The composition shows “The Mint” in full left profile: proud head carriage, arched neck and well-defined musculature set against a brick stable wall, drinking trough and strewn straw. The original gilt frame is present and complements the painting’s warm tonal range.

Composition & Technique
Colour: Layered siennas, russets and ochres convey the chestnut coat; subtle ivory highlights articulate form and sheen. Earthy reds and greys of the stable provide sympathetic contrast.
Brushwork: Directional, fine strokes describe the coat; broader, energetic handling renders straw and masonry—an approach that balances likeness with painterly vitality.
Style: The work resonates with the equestrian tradition associated with Sir Alfred Munnings: an emphasis on character, movement and the horse’s presence rather than pure photographic exactitude.

The Artist
Timothy B. Whitby was an English equine and animal painter active in the late Victorian/Edwardian period. His work combines anatomical accuracy with an impressionistic sensitivity to light and colour. Examples of Whitby’s paintings have appeared at major auction houses. This portrait of The Mint is a representative example of his mature sporting work.

The Horse — “The Mint”
Described in the supplied provenance as a Thoroughbred stallion and sire. The name recalls the celebrated Minting–Spearmint bloodline of the late 19th / early 20th century; whether directly descended or named in homage, the painting situates the horse within that tradition of British racing excellence.

Provenance
Private Lancashire stud collection.
Shire auction label to verso.
Now in the collection of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.
Provenance identifies The Mint as a Thoroughbred stallion and sire. While not widely documented in racing records, his name strongly echoes one of the most illustrious bloodlines of his era:
Minting (1883–1909) – A celebrated racehorse and stallion, winner of the Grand Prix de Paris and Hardwicke Stakes.
Maid of the Mint – Minting’s daughter and dam of Spearmint (1903), Derby and Grand Prix de Paris winner.
By 1912, the “Mint” name was synonymous with Thoroughbred excellence. It is highly likely that The Mint was named in homage to this celebrated lineage, carrying forward the prestige of the Minting–Spearmint connection. Thus, the painting celebrates not only an individual stallion but also the resonance of one of the great names in British racing heritage.

Dimensions (with frame)
Height: 61.5 cm · Width: 76.5 cm · Depth: 4.5 cm

Why Acquire This Work
A commanding, decorative portrait suitable for a study, library or formal interior.
Signed and dated by the artist; an intact early 20th-century equestrian likeness with clear sporting provenance.
Stylistically allied to the British equestrian tradition popularised by Sir Alfred Munnings, offering both collector interest and decorative presence.

Purchase
Click Buy It Now to acquire this signed 1912 equestrian portrait. Any questions please contact Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD through the Chairish messaging facility. See less