Wright Barker RBA, Horses and Foal in Landscape, Oil on Canvas

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A substantial and beautifully composed british equestrian oil painting by wright barker rba (1864–1941), depicting a group of horses and … Read more A substantial and beautifully composed british equestrian oil painting by wright barker rba (1864–1941), depicting a group of horses and a young foal gathered within an expansive rural landscape. The composition centres on four horses standing together in open pasture: two rich chestnut horses, a grey and a foal. Barker gives each animal an individual presence while arranging the group naturally, with the horses appearing to interact quietly with one another. Beyond them, the landscape opens towards a distant horizon beneath a broad pale-blue sky. Pine trees frame the left side of the composition while a country track winds into the distance on the right. The combination of finely observed horses and an extensive pastoral setting is characteristic of barker's reputation as a specialist animal painter. The painting is particularly attractive for its restrained natural palette and accomplished treatment of the horses' anatomy, coats and stance. Barker uses subtle highlights across the chestnut horses and softer tonal modelling on the grey, contrasting them against the greens and blues of the surrounding countryside. Presented in its original substantial gilt frame, with a name plaque reading "wright barker, r.b.a." at approximately 120 cm wide overall, this is an impressive decorative example of late victorian/early 20th-century british sporting and animal painting. About wright barker wright barker (1864–1941) was a british painter particularly associated with equestrian, animal and sporting subjects. Originally based in bradford, barker moved in 1885 to edwinstowe near mansfield, nottinghamshire. He subsequently lived in hampstead before settling in harrogate. Although his output also included figurative subjects and large-scale portraiture, barker described himself as an "animal painter", and his paintings of horses became an important part of his work. He was elected a member of the royal society of british artists in 1896 and exhibited extensively during his career. His works were shown at the royal academy, royal society of british artists, walker art gallery in liverpool, nottingham museum and art gallery, royal scottish academy and other prominent british exhibition venues. Barker was also associated with sporting subjects and painted scenes connected with the rufford hunt. Artist: wright barker rba (1864–1941) medium: oil on canvas subject: horses and foal in a pastoral landscape artwork dimensions: 69 × 102 cm (27 × 40 in.) framed dimensions: 87 × 120 cm (34 × 47 in.) origin: england period: late 19th / early 20th century style: british sporting / animal painting frame: original decorative gilt frame condition: antique condition consistent with age; please refer to photographs for details. See less