Grisette Grey Important British Sporting Oil Painting by Herbert St. John Jones
Herbert St. John Jones (1872–1939)
Grisette (1925)
Original Signed British Sporting Oil on Canvas | Painted from Life at Nantwich
Highlights
• Original signed oil on canvas by Herbert St. John Jones (1872–1939).
• Painted from life at Nantwich and dated 19 February 1925.
• Depicts the celebrated hunter mare Grisette in full profile.
• Retains the artist's original handwritten inscription to the reverse.
• Original "The Windsor Canvas – Made in England" manufacturer's stamp.
• Extensive documented provenance with corrected historical identification.
• Strong historical associations with the Cheshire Hunt and the Grosvenor sporting sphere.
• A museum-quality example of early twentieth-century British sporting art.
Introduction
An exceptional original British sporting oil on canvas by the renowned Cheshire equestrian painter Herbert St. John Jones, depicting the hunter mare Grisette standing proudly in full profile.
Painted from life at Nantwich on 19 February 1925, the work represents one of the finest surviving examples of Jones's accomplished equestrian portraiture. Executed with remarkable anatomical precision and a refined understanding of equine movement, balance and conformation, the painting beautifully captures both the physical elegance and quiet intelligence of this accomplished hunter.
The mare's distinctive flea-bitten grey coat is rendered through subtle layers of silver, cream and charcoal, while the restrained landscape background allows the animal to command the composition with dignity and presence. Jones's sensitive handling of light and colour reflects the observational skill that established him amongst the leading sporting artists of North-West England during the early twentieth century.
Particularly significant is the original inscription preserved on the reverse of the canvas:
"Painted from Life at Nantwich — H. Herbert St. John Jones — Feb. 19th, 1925."
This rare documentary evidence confirms that the portrait was executed directly from observation rather than produced later in the studio, greatly enhancing both its historical and scholarly importance.
Further research has restored the painting's correct title following a later cataloguing error. Earlier auction records identify the horse correctly as Grisette, rather than Griselle, reuniting the painting with its documented auction history and strengthening its provenance.
Catalogue Details
Artist: Herbert St. John Jones (1872–1939)
Title: Grisette
Date: 19 February 1925
Medium: Oil on canvas
School: British Sporting School
Subject: Portrait of the hunter mare Grisette
Signature: Signed lower left
Inscription: Titled lower right and fully inscribed verso
Canvas Stamp: Original "The Windsor Canvas – Made in England"
Frame: Later giltwood gallery frame
Display: Ready for display
Catalogue Note
Herbert St. John Jones portrays Grisette with all the qualities expected of an accomplished British hunter. The mare possesses a deep chest suggesting stamina, powerful hindquarters for athletic performance, clean well-defined limbs suited to demanding hunting country and a refined, intelligent head that conveys both alertness and character. Her traditionally docked tail reflects accepted sporting presentation during the period.
The artist's careful study of equine anatomy is matched by his subtle treatment of colour, with the distinctive flea-bitten grey coat built through delicate tonal transitions rather than heavy impasto. This restrained technique gives the portrait exceptional realism while preserving an elegance entirely appropriate to a commissioned sporting portrait.
Completed during the height of the 1925 Cheshire hunting season, the painting belongs to one of Britain's most distinguished equestrian traditions. During this period, Eaton Hall, seat of the Grosvenor family, stood at the centre of Cheshire's hunting culture and was recognised nationally for its horse breeding and sporting excellence.
Historical records confirm Herbert St. John Jones enjoyed patronage from the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, firmly placing him within the artistic circle surrounding one of Britain's foremost sporting families. Whilst no surviving documentary evidence presently confirms Grisette as a Grosvenor-owned horse, the painting's date, location, quality of commission and Jones's documented association with the Westminster family position it convincingly within the wider Grosvenor sporting sphere and the historic Cheshire Hunt.
The restoration of the correct title, supported by comparison with earlier auction records and the artist's original copperplate inscription, further enhances the painting's documentary significance and provides an important contribution to the artist's catalogue.
The Artist
Herbert St. John Jones (1872–1939) worked from his respected studio on Hospital Street, Nantwich, where he established himself as one of North-West England's foremost painters of horses, livestock and rural sporting life.
Working almost exclusively from direct observation, Jones earned an outstanding reputation for his faithful portrayals of horses belonging to Cheshire's leading landowners and sporting families. Historical records confirm commissions from the Duke and Duchess of Westminster at Eaton Hall, reinforcing his position amongst the most respected provincial sporting artists of the early twentieth century.
Today his paintings are admired for their technical accuracy, refined draughtsmanship and remarkable ability to capture the individual character and presence of each animal. Works by Jones remain highly desirable amongst collectors of British sporting art, equestrian portraiture and regional Cheshire history.
Provenance
Private Collection.
Dreweatts Neate, 29 May 2002.
Originally catalogued correctly as Grisette and offered together with its companion portrait, Silverbank.
Subsequently re-entered the market under the transcription error Griselle.
Comparative examination of the artist's original inscription confirms the correct reading as Grisette, reuniting the painting with its documented auction history.
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.
Dimensions
Canvas
Height: 27.7 cm (10.9 inches)
Width: 33.3 cm (13.1 inches)
Frame
Height: 42 cm (16.5 inches)
Width: 49.7 cm (19.6 inches)
Depth: 4.5 cm (1.8 inches)
Condition Report
Presented in good overall exhibition condition.
The original canvas remains structurally sound with stable age-related craquelure and scattered foxing consistent with a work over one hundred years old. There is evidence of a historic professionally executed reverse canvas repair which is secure and does not materially affect the painted surface or overall presentation.
The later giltwood gallery frame displays light age-related wear and minor losses commensurate with age and handling.
Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and condition report.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available. The painting will be professionally packaged using high-quality conservation materials and dispatched fully insured for secure international delivery.
Please contact us for a personalised shipping quotation where required.
Attribution & Research Notice
The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional, non-guaranteed opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published 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 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, European and American fine art, antiques and historic works of art. Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and over 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, accurate catalogue descriptions and a professional, client-focused service.
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