Antique Grand Oil Painting English Horse Portrait Partisan by James Barenger C1827 Bred By 4th Duke of Grafton

🏇 Antique Grand 1827 Georgian Oil Painting of Bay Thoroughbred “Partisan” by James Barenger | Equestrian Horse Portrait Bred By 4th Duke of Grafton

🎨 Subject & Medium
An elegant early 19th-century English oil on canvas by noted animal painter James Barenger, depicting the celebrated bay racehorse “Partisan”. Shown in proud left-facing profile against a soft green landscape, the horse is portrayed with the poise and presence typical of high Georgian equestrian portraiture.

🎭 Composition & Technique
Barenger sets Partisan squarely at the centre of the composition, his finely drawn outline standing out against rolling fields, distant trees and an open sky. The background is painted in muted greens, blues and earthy browns, creating a calm, atmospheric setting that enhances the warm bay tones of the horse’s coat.

His meticulous brushwork captures:

• The gentle sheen of muscle beneath the coat

• The texture of the mane, tail and facial features

• The small tufts of grass and details of the ground beneath his hooves

Subtle handling of light and shadow gives the painting depth and a convincingly three-dimensional, lifelike presence. It’s an excellent example of British sporting art, balancing accuracy with refined, understated elegance.

📚 History of the Racehorse “Partisan”

Breeding & Background
Partisan was a bay colt foaled in 1811 at the Grafton stud. He was:

• Bred and owned by George FitzRoy, 4th Duke of Grafton, a leading owner-breeder of his day

• Sired by Walton (1799), a top son of Sir Peter Teazle and twice champion sire in Britain

• Out of Parasol (1800), a high-class mare by Pot-8-Os and dam of several classic winners

He is often described as a moderately good racehorse who rose to real importance as a stallion.

Partisan on the Turf
Trained by Robert Robson, Partisan was entered for the Derby but did not run, as a severe winter left him short of condition. At three he ran seven times at Newmarket, winning three 200-guinea matches, including victories over Pinions (another Walton son), Magician (by Sorcerer), and an Orville filly. He also won a sweepstakes in which he beat older horses such as Curlew and Medora, the year’s Oaks winner.

Although he never became a star of the classics, he earned a reputation as a good, fast Newmarket horse, racing during a quieter phase of English racing under Jockey Club rules.

Partisan in the Stud
Partisan’s greatest impact came at stud. Though he never topped the sires’ list, he proved highly influential, siring:

• Four classic winners:

  • Zeal – 1,000 Guineas

  • Mameluke – Derby

  • Patron – 2,000 Guineas

  • Cyprian – Oaks

• Three major sire sons:

  • Gladiator – later a key stallion in France

  • Glaucus – top Cup horse and successful sire abroad

  • Venison – important racehorse and sire in Britain

Through these sons, Partisan carried the Highflyer / Sir Peter Teazle line well into the later 19th century, with influence in both British and European breeding. His line also produced significant broodmares such as Queen Mary and Queen Bertha, whose descendants helped spread his blood worldwide.

Modern pedigree writers regard him as a vital link in the early Thoroughbred sire lines – a game and genuine Newmarket horse whose greatest legacy lies in his descendants. He died in 1833, aged around 22.

📌 Why This Matters for the Painting
Dated/inscribed 1827, this portrait captures Partisan when:

• He had already shown his ability on the racecourse

• His early crops at stud were beginning to prove successful

• The Duke of Grafton’s breeding operation was at its height

This is almost certainly a formal stud portrait of a significant foundation stallion, rather than a casual sporting scene – the kind of painting a major owner would commission to celebrate an important horse in the stud’s history.

✍️ Signature & Inscriptions

• Signed by James Barenger

• Old label verso reading “Hunter In Landscape”

• Further inscription verso with the name “Partisan” and the date 1827

👤 About the Artist – James Barenger (1780–1831)
James Barenger was a leading English painter of horses, dogs and hunting scenes.

• Exhibited 48 works at the Royal Academy

• Also showed at the British Institution

• His paintings were engraved for prestigious sporting publications

• Works by Barenger still appear at major auctions, with some examples achieving over $37,000 USD

His blend of precise anatomy, careful observation and refined finish makes his signed equestrian portraits especially desirable to collectors.

🖼 Frame
Presented in an attractive later gilt wood frame, which complements the painting’s period character. It is ready to hang and enjoy.

📏 Dimensions (Framed)

• Height: 78 cm

• Width: 90 cm

• Depth: 4.5 cm

📜 Provenance

• Private collection

Based on subject, date and artist, by repute that this canvas may have been commissioned by or for the 4th Duke of Grafton / Grafton Stud at Euston Hall, where Partisan stood at stud and where Barenger is known to have had patronage. It may originally have hung in the house or stud buildings and could have remained in a Grafton-related family collection through part of the 19th century.

This pattern is typical for British sporting art of the period and fits Barenger’s known clientele, but it remains scholarly conjecture rather than documented fact.

Later in private English collections until first recorded at auction:

• Woolley & Wallis, Salisbury, 8 September 2020

• Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD, with further online offerings via NY Elizabeth and LiveAuctioneers

✅ Why You’ll Love It

✅ Rare signed work by a respected English equine and sporting artist
✅ Characterful portrait of “Partisan,” an influential early 19th-century Thoroughbred and foundation sire
✅ Beautiful balance of earthy greens, warm bay tones and soft, natural light
✅ Refined realist brushwork with lifelike anatomical detail and texture
✅ Supplied ready-to-hang in a classic gilt wood frame
✅ A superb focal piece for any equestrian, racing, sporting or fine art collection
✅ Friendly, professional customer service to guide and support your purchase

🛠 Condition Report

Fine antique condition with attractive, age-related character.
There are foxing spots, craquelure, minor areas of paint loss and some light surface dust.
Professional paint touch-ups are visible in places under close inspection.
The canvas has been relined to provide stability and long-term support.
The gilt frame shows light wear, scuffs and small chips consistent with age and use.

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