19th Century Oil Painting Portrait Bay Hunter Horse Partisan by James Barenger C1827 Bred by 4th Duke of Grafton

Details

Description

**1827 British Sporting Oil Painting of Partisan Racehorse, Signed James Barenger**

An elegant early nineteenth-century British sporting oil painting catalogued … Read more **1827 British Sporting Oil Painting of Partisan Racehorse, Signed James Barenger**

An elegant early nineteenth-century British sporting oil painting catalogued as a signed work by James Barenger (1780–1831), traditionally identified as depicting Partisan, the celebrated thoroughbred racehorse bred by George FitzRoy, 4th Duke of Grafton.

Presented in a traditional gilt frame, the painting combines Georgian equestrian portraiture with the history of British aristocratic racing and thoroughbred breeding.

Its historical interest is enhanced by a recorded 1827 reverse inscription, an aged typewritten label, documented auction provenance and a subsequent private loan and exhibition at The Famous Lord Hill Museum.

**Highlights**

- Original early nineteenth-century British oil painting on canvas.
- Catalogued as signed James Barenger (1780–1831).
- Historic reverse inscription identifying Partisan and dated 1827.
- Traditionally identified as Partisan, a Grafton thoroughbred racehorse.
- Associated historically with the 4th Duke of Grafton's breeding establishment.
- Sire of Mameluke, winner of the 1827 Epsom Derby.
- Original typewritten label naming James Barenger retained.
- Documented Woolley & Wallis and Wilkinson's auction appearances.
- Privately loaned and exhibited at The Famous Lord Hill Museum.
- Historic relining and age-related surface characteristics.
- Traditional gilt moulded wooden frame.
- Framed: approximately 35.4 inches wide × 30.7 inches high × 1.8 inches deep.
- Canvas: approximately 30.1 inches wide × 25.2 inches high.

**Introduction**

A refined example of Georgian sporting art, this historic oil painting presents a horse in formal profile within an atmospheric English landscape.

The subject is traditionally identified as Partisan, an influential thoroughbred associated with the 4th Duke of Grafton's celebrated racing and breeding establishment.

The composition reflects the British tradition of commissioning portraits of important horses, combining careful observation with the understated elegance of early nineteenth-century country-house painting.

Its gilt frame and warm, earthy palette make it particularly suitable for traditional interiors, English country-house schemes, equestrian residences, libraries and sophisticated American homes.

**Catalogue Details**

Artist: James Barenger (1780–1831), as catalogued in documented auction records.

Title: *Partisan, a Thoroughbred Racehorse in a Landscape*.

Alternative historical title: *Partisan, a Hunter in a Landscape*.

Period: Early 19th Century, Georgian.

Date: Circa 1827; historic reverse inscription dated 1827.

Country of Origin: United Kingdom.

Medium: Original oil on canvas.

Signature: Signed lower right, as recorded in auction documentation.

Subject: Traditionally identified as Partisan (1811–1835).

Historical association: George FitzRoy, 4th Duke of Grafton.

Frame: Traditional gilt moulded wood.

Exhibition: The Famous Lord Hill Museum, private loan.

**Catalogue Note**

The painting depicts a horse standing in profile against a restrained country landscape.

The warm reddish-brown tones of the animal's coat contrast with the muted greens and earthy colours of the background.

The composition is characteristic of the Georgian sporting tradition, in which horses were frequently portrayed as individual subjects of distinction.

The atmospheric landscape provides a quiet setting that allows the horse's form and proportions to dominate the painting.

Its understated presentation offers considerable decorative appeal within interiors inspired by British sporting heritage.

**The Artist – James Barenger (1780–1831)**

James Barenger was an English sporting and animal painter known for his depictions of racehorses, hunters, dogs and country pursuits.

Born in London in 1780, he developed a career painting equestrian subjects for aristocratic and wealthy patrons.

His work was exhibited at the Royal Academy and British Institution.

Published auction-house research identifies the Duke of Grafton among his patrons, alongside other prominent aristocratic figures.

Barenger's paintings remain associated with the traditions of Georgian sporting art and British equestrian portraiture.

The present painting is catalogued as a signed work by Barenger, reflecting its historical auction attribution and surviving inscriptions.

**Partisan – The Grafton Thoroughbred**

Partisan was foaled in 1811 and bred by George FitzRoy, 4th Duke of Grafton.

He was by Walton, out of Parasol, by Pot-8-Os.

After a successful racing career at Newmarket, Partisan became an influential breeding stallion.

His descendants included several British Classic winners, notably Mameluke, winner of the 1827 Epsom Derby.

Other successful offspring included Zeal, Patron and Cyprian.

His influence extended through later thoroughbred bloodlines, including those descending from Gladiator and Venison.

**The 1827 Derby Connection**

The reverse inscription recorded in the painting's auction history identifies the year 1827.

This was the year in which Partisan's son Mameluke won the Epsom Derby.

The coincidence provides a compelling historical context for the painting's traditional identification and date.

However, no contemporary documentary evidence has been identified confirming that the portrait was commissioned specifically to commemorate this achievement.

**The Duke of Grafton and Euston Hall**

George Henry FitzRoy, 4th Duke of Grafton, maintained an influential racing and breeding establishment associated with Euston Hall, Suffolk.

Partisan was bred within the Duke's distinguished thoroughbred programme.

James Barenger is independently documented as having painted for the Duke of Grafton.

Although these historical connections make a Grafton-associated commission plausible, no contemporary inventory, payment record or correspondence has yet established that the Duke commissioned or owned this particular painting.

The Grafton connection is therefore presented as the documented historical background of the horse rather than proven ownership provenance for the artwork.

**Original Signature and Reverse Inscription**

The painting was catalogued by Wilkinson's Auctioneers in October 2022 as a signed work by James Barenger.

The auction description records a lower-right signature and a reverse inscription identifying *PARTISAN by James Barenger 1827*.

The precise age and originality of these inscriptions have not been independently established.

**Historic Typewritten Label**

An aged typewritten paper label remains attached to the reverse of the painting.

The surviving text identifies an oil painting depicting a hunter in a landscape and names James Barenger as the artist.

A partially damaged upper line cannot be reliably transcribed.

The label provides supporting evidence of an earlier identification of the painting, although its date, original purpose and any associated ownership remain unknown.

**Identification of the Horse**

The painting is traditionally identified as Partisan through the reverse inscription recorded in its auction history.

The surviving typewritten label identifies the subject more generally as a hunter in a landscape.

No contemporary commission or estate inventory has yet been identified conclusively establishing the horse's identity.

The identification as Partisan is therefore retained as the historically documented subject attribution.

**Provenance**

Earlier private ownership, United Kingdom; details unconfirmed.

Woolley & Wallis, Salisbury, 8 September 2020, Lot 587.

Wilkinson's Auctioneers Ltd, Doncaster, *Private Collections*, 9 October 2022, Lot 584.

Acquired at Wilkinson's Auctioneers by Michael Swainbank.

Subsequently held by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Original auction documentation retained.

The original commission and complete early ownership history remain unverified.

**Exhibition History**

The Famous Lord Hill Museum, United Kingdom.

Privately loaned and exhibited at The Famous Lord Hill Museum, as confirmed by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

The precise exhibition dates and duration have not yet been independently documented.

**Frame and Presentation**

The painting is presented in a traditional gilt moulded wooden frame.

The frame's warm finish complements the horse's rich colouring and the subdued landscape palette.

Minor rubbing, abrasions and age-related wear are visible.

The canvas has been historically relined.

**Dimensions**

Framed: 35.4 inches Wide × 30.7 inches High × 1.8 inches Deep.

Canvas: 30.1 inches Wide × 25.2 inches High.

Metric framed dimensions: 90 × 78 × 4.5 cm.

Metric canvas dimensions: 76.5 × 64 cm.

**Historical Auction Measurements**

Wilkinson's Auctioneers, 9 October 2022, Lot 584, recorded the canvas as approximately 64 × 76 cm and the framed dimensions as approximately 79 × 90 cm.

These historical measurements differ slightly from the current dealer measurements and are retained for documentary completeness.

**Condition Report**

The painting displays age-related craquelure, minor surface marks, foxing-like spotting and small areas of paint loss.

Historical retouching or paint touch-ups are visible in places.

The canvas has been relined, indicating a previous structural conservation intervention.

The date and extent of the intervention remain unknown.

The gilt frame exhibits rubbing, minor chips, scuffs and age-related wear.

The reverse retains historical inscriptions and the aged typewritten label.

No independent conservation examination, pigment analysis or comprehensive technical assessment has been undertaken.

The painting is not represented as free from historical restoration.

Please review the detailed photographs, which form an integral part of the condition description. Additional images and information may be requested.

**Published References and Primary Sources**

Woolley & Wallis, Salisbury, 8 September 2020, Lot 587.

Wilkinson's Auctioneers Ltd, Doncaster, 9 October 2022, Lot 584.

National Trust Collections, NT 1221369, James Barenger, *Selim*, 1827.

Christie's published research concerning James Barenger and the Duke of Grafton.

*Thoroughbred Heritage*, historical studies of Partisan and the Grafton breeding establishment.

Pedigree Query, historical racing and breeding records.

Original auction documentation, reverse inscriptions and historic typewritten label.

**Shipping**

Worldwide shipping is available.

Owing to the framed presentation of the artwork, it will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.

International buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation or to discuss any particular shipping requirements.

**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, exhibition history and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.

**Attribution and Research**

The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis, dating and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available physical evidence, signatures, comparative research, published auction records, racing archives, reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.

These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance, authenticity of additional signatures or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.

**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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