Maxim Gauci, Sharke Thoroughbred Horse Portrait, Lithograph, 1840

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Sharke – antique thoroughbred horse portrait, gauci & hullmandel c.1840 a striking nineteenth-century sporting lithograph depicting the horse sharke, portrayed … Read more Sharke – antique thoroughbred horse portrait, gauci & hullmandel c.1840 a striking nineteenth-century sporting lithograph depicting the horse sharke, portrayed in profile against an open countryside landscape. The composition emphasizes the animal's powerful frame, refined head, and balanced conformation, qualities that made horse portraits among the most admired subjects of british sporting art during the early victorian era. The print was drawn by j. Stubbs and lithographed by maxim gauci, before being printed by the celebrated london lithographer charles hullmandel. Gauci was among the finest lithographic artists working in britain during the first half of the nineteenth century, while hullmandel's workshop was renowned for producing some of the highest-quality sporting and natural history prints of the period. Together, their work helped establish lithography as an important artistic medium in britain. The horse identified as sharke is depicted with remarkable anatomical accuracy and dignity. The artist has focused attention on the horse itself, allowing viewers to appreciate its musculature, elegant proportions, and noble bearing without distraction. Such portraits were commissioned and collected by owners, breeders, racing enthusiasts, and sporting gentlemen who wished to commemorate exceptional horses and preserve their bloodlines for future generations. Although not a pure arabian horse, *sharke* displays several characteristics that reflect the arabian influence found throughout the thoroughbred breed, including a refined head, elegant neck, and athletic proportions. These features stem from the celebrated middle eastern foundation stallions whose bloodlines contributed to the development of britain's most successful racing and sporting horses. The understated rural landscape enhances the composition while maintaining the horse as the central focus. This simplicity gives the print a timeless quality and allows it to work equally well as a historical document and a decorative artwork. Original sporting lithographs such as this remain highly desirable among collectors of equestrian art, racing history, and nineteenth-century british prints. This offering is for an original nineteenth-century lithograph, not a modern reproduction. Any framed room visualizations are intended solely to illustrate potential display options and may not accurately represent the print's exact scale relative to the frame or interior setting. Condition: age-related toning and occasional light foxing. Minor creasing, handling marks, and edge wear consistent with age. Small losses and imperfections are present along the upper sheet edge from former binding. The image remains strong, clean, and visually attractive. Please study the photographs carefully. Framing tips: this print displays beautifully in a dark walnut, ebonized, or traditional mahogany frame with a warm ivory mat. A narrow gilt liner can subtly enhance the rich tonal qualities of the lithograph while maintaining a refined sporting appearance. Particularly suitable for libraries, studies, country houses, and equestrian interiors. Technique: lithograph maker: maxim gauci (malta, active in london) after j. Stubbs, printed by charles hullmandel, london, circa 1840. See less