Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

19th Century Oil Painting The Clandon Harriers Hunt John Imms Of Ringmer Up Libertine

£20,000.00

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Expertly crafted during the early Victorian era, this large oil painting depicts The Clandon Harriers Hunt being led by by huntsman John Imms of Ringmer up on his horse Libertine by renowned artist Richard Barrett Davis. The detailed brushstrokes bring to life a scene of hounds eagerly pursuing their prey, capturing the thrill of the hunt with precision and skill. Perfect for art connoisseurs and lovers of traditional British sport.
Title “The Clandon Harriers Portrait of James Imms, Huntsman, on his favourite mare Libertine” by Richard Barrett Davis.
Oil on canvas, set in a traditional original gilt wood frame.
Circa 1840's mid 19th century early Victorian era.
Unsigned.
By the known British artist Richard Barrett Davis.
In our opinion this is an exceptional example of his work.
Subject hunting portrait of the known huntsman John Imms who is in full side profile riding up on his favourite bay hunter mare horse Libertine, he is holding her reins in one hand ans is looking back towards the right, he is wearing his black hat with dark green hunting overcoat, with white trousers & tan brown & black riding boots. He has stopped in a clearing in the countryside. His pack of scent hound dogs are below around him sniffing the scent of the fox prey, further back to the right a tall lush green tree with a line of smaller trees further along. In the distance views of the Sussex Downs in open countryside, above the sky light blue with white scattered clouds.
An impressive display size with the frame being 87 cm high and 107.5 cm wide.
With hanging thread on the back ready for immediate home wall display.
Artist biography JArtist biography Richard Barrett Davis RBA (1782–1854) was an animal and landscape painter. Davis was born at Watford in Hertfordshire 1782. In 1789 his dad became huntsman to the King George III, after seeing his sons drawings he persuaded Francis Bourgeois to teach the young artist. Davis studied under William Evans of Eton, under William Beechey, he was also in the Royal Academy where he first exhibited in 1802. He later joined the Society of British Artists in 1829, and was appointed animal painter to William IV in 1831. Then to Queen Victoria. From 1836 he made a series of prints for publishers A. H. Bailey & Co. titled ‘The Hunter's Annual’ (1836-41). He also made some 30 illustrations for the ‘Sporting Magazine’. He died in Kensington in 1854. His paintings have been exhibited in galleries & sold in auction houses around the world, the highest sold price is $40,623 US dollars. His work Near Virginia Water is in South Kensington Museum.
The Clandon harriers were established by their noble owner, the Earl of Onslow, then Lord Cranley, of Clandon Park, Surrey, in the year 1800. The hounds selected were from the best blood in the east of Sussex, as the following names fully justify-namely: Harrison Carrs, Beddingham; Mr. Augers, Eastbourne; Mr. Ellman, Glynde; and the Brookside harriers. With the hounds, their late huntsman, James Imms (whose portrait occupies the centre of this painting), was transplanted from the Sussex downs to the Surrey hills.
The late huntsman of the pack, James Imms, was born at Ringmer, near Lewes, Sussex, and was initiated into the art and mystery of his calling by the late Mr. Ellman, of Glynde, well known as the great improver of the Southdown sheep, and who was also as thorough a sportsman as "e'er followed a hound." It may be said that Imms was a born sportsman. When a mere lad he played truant from school, and established himself in Mr. Ellman's service, where he had been several weeks before his friends discovered the lost and truant boy. If the change from the downs of Sussex to the hills of Surrey conduced to the improvement of the hounds, it is equally certain it was not prejudicial to their huntsman, who lived to the good old age of seventy-six, without being absent, it is believed, from the meet a single day, either from accident or illness.
Sources The New Sporting Magazine "Davis, Richard Barrett" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
Provenance This painting had its image engraved in the Sporting Magazine in 1847, private hunting collection from the vendor, high end London based auction & Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Condition report.
Offered in fine used condition.
Front painting surface is in acceptable overall order. Having various craquelure foxing stains. Canvas has been relined. Frame which has various general wear, cracking, chips losses & some paint touch ups commensurate with usage & old age.
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Dimensions in centimetres of the frame

High (87 cm)
Wide (107.5 cm)
Depth thickness of frame (5.5 cm)