Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954) Spion Kop, Winner of the Derby Stakes, Important Signed British Equestrian Oil Painting, Dated 1920

Details

Description

Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954)
Spion Kop, Winner of the Derby Stakes, 1920

Important Signed British Equestrian Oil Painting, Dated 1920

… Read more Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954)
Spion Kop, Winner of the Derby Stakes, 1920

Important Signed British Equestrian Oil Painting, Dated 1920

Highlights

• Original English oil on canvas dating to 1920
• Depicts Spion Kop, winner of the 1920 Epsom Derby
• Painted by Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954)
• Signed and dated “Frederick Albert Clark 1920”
• Contemporary portrait from the year of Spion Kop’s Derby victory
• Rich chestnut, sienna, ochre, cream and muted green palette
• Strong decorative and sporting character
• Historic verso labels and inscriptions
• Previously offered through Sworders
• Presented in its original gilt-wood frame
• Supplied with a Certificate of Sale from Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Introduction

An important English sporting oil painting by Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954) depicting Spion Kop, the celebrated chestnut racehorse who won the 1920 Epsom Derby.

Signed and dated 1920, the painting was executed in the year of Spion Kop’s historic Derby victory and captures the champion in proud repose outside a stable.

The warm chestnut tones of the horse contrast beautifully with the cooler creams, greys and muted greens of the architectural setting, giving the work an especially attractive decorative presence.

Catalogue Details

Artist: Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954)

Title: Spion Kop, Winner of the Derby Stakes, 1920

Subject: Spion Kop

Date: 1920

Medium: Oil on canvas

Origin: England

Style: British Sporting / Equestrian

Signature: Signed and dated lower right in red, “Frederick Albert Clark 1920”

Frame: Original gilt wood with classical moulded decoration

Catalogue Note

Spion Kop stands prominently before an English stable yard, his chestnut coat providing the immediate visual focus.

Clark models the horse with warm reds, siennas, browns and ochres, using highlights across the shoulder, flank and hindquarters to suggest the sheen and strength of the animal.

The head is carefully observed, with alert ears and a bright eye creating a strong impression of intelligence and individuality.

An open stable door and draped blanket provide detail to the left, while the high wall, stone sphere, foliage and soft summer clouds give the composition an atmospheric architectural setting.

The painting combines sporting importance with the warmth and character of traditional British equestrian portraiture.

Spion Kop – Winner of the 1920 Epsom Derby

Spion Kop (1917–1941) was bred and owned by Major Giles Loder and trained by Peter Gilpin.

On 2 June 1920, ridden by American jockey Frank O’Neill, Spion Kop won the Epsom Derby.

The 1920 date of the present painting makes it a particularly interesting contemporary portrait celebrating the horse’s achievement.

Spion Kop subsequently retired to stud and died in 1941.

The Artist

Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954) was an English animal and sporting painter known particularly for equestrian and canine subjects.

He came from a notable family of British animal artists. His father Albert Clark, grandfather James Clark and brother William Albert Clark were all associated with animal and equestrian painting.

Frederick Albert Clark combined anatomical accuracy with expressive observation, allowing his paintings to convey not only the physical appearance of the horse but also its individual presence and temperament.

Provenance

Original paper label verso:

“Frederick Albert Clark – Spion Kop Winner of the Derby Stakes 1920 – Oil on canvas – signed and dated.”

Further historic inscription verso:

“Marie G. Loder’s Spion Kop Winner of the 1920 Derby Stakes, ridden by F. O’Neill.”

Previously offered through Sworders, England.

Subsequently curated and presented for sale by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

The surviving labels and inscriptions form part of the painting’s documentary history. Their wording is recorded as found and should not, without further documentary evidence, be interpreted as establishing an unbroken chain of ownership.

Dimensions

Framed:

63.5 cm high × 72 cm wide × 3.75 cm deep

Approximately 25 × 28.3 × 1.5 inches.



Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.


Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.

Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.

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