Full Cry The Berkeley Hunt – A Victorian Sporting Oil c1880

*Victorian Sporting Oil Painting c.1880 – Full Cry (The Berkeley Hunt) 🎨🐎🦊

By Charles Faulkner (British, active c.1874–1900)

(This work is No. 3 of a 4-painting hunting series. The other three can be purchased individually; please message us if you wish to acquire the complete set.)

Subject & Medium 🎨

Full Cry (The Berkeley Hunt) is a finely executed oil on board capturing the most exhilarating moment of a traditional English foxhunt—the instant the chase reaches its highest intensity.

Faulkner’s medium-scale oil paintings are admired for their crisp clarity and concentrated storytelling. The smooth board surface allows him to deliver precise draftsmanship in the horses and hounds while still achieving atmospheric depth in the landscape. The result is a compelling blend of documentary detail and Victorian romanticism.

Composition & Technique ✨

Faulkner orchestrates the scene with a masterful sense of speed, rhythm, and spatial drama.

Dynamic Foreground

• A leading hound races forward, body stretched at full stride, establishing the tempo of the chase.

• Three central huntsmen gallop in unison; their bay, chestnut, and dark horses show convincing musculature and tension.

• Each rider is individually characterized—taut reins, forward-leaning posture, and meticulously painted attire from top hats to scarlet coats.

Midground & Structural Drama

• At right, a huntsman clears a wooden gate mid-jump, captured with remarkable energy and lift—an iconic trope of Victorian hunting art.

• A stark winter tree acts as a vertical anchor, dividing the lateral sweep of the riders from the distant valley.

Atmospheric Distance

• A distant cluster of riders and hounds dissolves into pale, shimmering strokes, creating aerial perspective.

• Rolling fields of the Berkeley Vale are defined with long, sweeping brushwork echoing the motion of the chase.

Painterly Technique

• Fine, controlled touches articulate bridles, collars, and hounds’ heads.

• Broader, lightly scumbled passages in sky and ground bind the figures into the wider landscape.

• Faulkner balances cool English greys, winter greens, and warm hunting reds to create an evocative countryside tableau.

This is not just a depiction of movement—it feels like movement.

About the Hunt Scene 🐕💨🦊

This painting illustrates the dramatic stage known as “Full Cry,” the moment when the entire hunt commits at full speed to pursuing the fox.

Historical Context

Set within the famed Berkeley Hunt—founded in the 12th century and one of England’s oldest active hunts—the work reflects centuries of rural sporting heritage, discipline, and pageantry.

Narrative Depth

• The packed hounds signal the fox’s close proximity.

• Riders drop fences, navigate hedgerows, and traverse fields at full gallop.

• Faulkner captures the essence of Victorian hunt culture: teamwork, tension, tradition, and electrifying pace.

Every element of the painting contributes to a rich, historically grounded narrative.

About the Artist ✍️🎨

Charles Faulkner (fl. 1874–1900) was a skilled British sporting artist known for:

• Precision equestrian draftsmanship

• Expressive, carefully observed hound movement

• Atmospheric English countryside scenes

• Strong narrative sequencing and story-driven composition

He frequently painted complete hunt cycles (Meet → View Halloo → Full Cry → Death), and this work forms a key part of that storytelling tradition. Collectors of British sporting art regard Faulkner’s works as both historically valuable and visually compelling.

Signature 🖋️

Signed “C. Faulkner” lower right, consistent with authenticated examples from the period.

Framing 🖼️

Presented in a recently fitted Rococo-style gilt frame with elegant scrolling and floral detailing.
Glazed with museum-quality AR70 low-reflection protective glass, offering:

• Enhanced visibility

• Reduced glare

• UV protection

• Conservation-grade preservation

The warm gilt finish beautifully complements the scarlet coats, natural greens, and warm horse tones, giving the painting a rich and historically sympathetic presentation.

Framed Dimensions

41 cm (W) × 26.5 cm (H) × 4 cm (D)
An ideal display size for libraries, country houses, sporting art collections, and refined interiors.

Provenance 📜

• Gloucestershire Art & Antiques Dealer

• Harriet Wynter, Interior Decorations & Antiques, Brighton

• Private Collection

• Exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum

• Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

A strong and credible provenance that supports long-term collectability.

Why You’ll Love It ❤️🐎

✅ Dramatic “Full Cry” moment—height of the chase
✅ Signed work by esteemed Victorian sporting artist Charles Faulkner
✅ Newly fitted Rococo-style gilt frame with museum-grade AR70 protective glass
✅ Strong narrative composition full of speed, tension, and atmosphere
✅ Historically significant subject from the renowned Berkeley Hunt
✅ Rich colour harmony and superb decorative presence
✅ Essential part of the four-painting Berkeley Hunt cycle
✅ Perfect for collectors of equestrian, countryside, or sporting art

Condition Report 🔍

• Structurally sound board

• Fine, stable craquelure appropriate for age

• Minor paint losses visible in the sky

• Light abrasions at the outer frame edge

• Gentle surface soiling and aged varnish typical of Victorian oils

Overall, the painting is well preserved, visually cohesive, and display-ready. Optional professional cleaning could enhance brightness further.