Masterpiece of Equestrian Art Oil Portrait of Derby Champion Spion Kop

Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954) Spion Kop, Winner of the Derby Stakes, 1920

Important Signed British Sporting Oil Painting of the 1920 Epsom Derby Winner

Highlights

• Original oil on canvas by Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954)

• Signed and dated “Frederick Albert Clark 1920” lower right

• Depicts Spion Kop, winner of the 1920 Epsom Derby

• Painted in 1920, the same year as Spion Kop’s historic Derby victory

• Important example of early 20th-century British sporting and equestrian art

• Sensitive portrait of the celebrated chestnut racehorse in a stable-yard setting

• Original paper identification label retained verso

• Historic inscription verso identifying Spion Kop and jockey F. O’Neill

• Previously offered through Sworders

• Presented in its original gilt-wood frame

• Supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution from Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Introduction

An important early 20th-century British sporting oil painting by Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954) depicting Spion Kop, the celebrated chestnut racehorse who won the 1920 Epsom Derby.

Signed and dated 1920, the painting was created during the very year of Spion Kop’s greatest racing achievement. Clark presents the champion in quiet repose outside a stable, concentrating upon the individual character, strength and presence of the horse rather than the excitement of the racecourse.

The richly worked chestnut coat provides the visual centre of the composition, while the surrounding stable architecture, foliage and summer sky are handled with broader, more atmospheric brushwork. The combination creates a compelling sporting portrait with considerable decorative and historical appeal.

Catalogue Details

Artist: Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954)

Title: Spion Kop, Winner of the Derby Stakes, 1920

Subject: Spion Kop

Date: 1920

Medium: Oil on canvas

School: British

Genre: Sporting / Equestrian / Horse Racing

Signature: Signed and dated lower right in red, “Frederick Albert Clark 1920”

Frame: Original gilt-wood frame with classical moulded decoration

Catalogue Note

Spion Kop is positioned slightly left of centre outside a stable, facing inward toward the viewer.

Clark uses warm chestnut reds, siennas, browns and ochres throughout the horse’s coat, with carefully applied highlights across the shoulder, flank and hindquarters creating a convincing sense of sheen and muscular structure.

The head is particularly well observed. The attentive ears, bright eye, mane and carefully defined facial features give the horse a strong individual character rather than presenting him simply as a generic racehorse.

To the left, an open stable door with a folded blanket provides a subtle narrative detail. Behind the horse, a tall wall capped by a stone sphere forms the principal architectural element, while foliage and a softly clouded summer sky provide an atmospheric upper register.

The contrast between the more precise treatment of the horse and the looser handling of the background is highly effective. Spion Kop remains the undisputed focus, while the surrounding setting establishes an appropriately elegant English sporting environment.

The mood is one of quiet triumph: a champion portrayed not in the frenzy of competition, but in proud and assured repose.

Spion Kop – Winner of the 1920 Epsom Derby

Spion Kop (1917–1941) was bred and owned by Major Giles Loder and trained by Peter Gilpin.

On 2 June 1920, ridden by American jockey Frank O’Neill, Spion Kop won the Epsom Derby and secured his place among the notable winners in the history of British flat racing.

The contemporary date of this painting is particularly significant. Executed in 1920, it belongs to the same year as Spion Kop’s celebrated Derby victory.

Following his racing career, Spion Kop retired to stud and remained part of the history of British thoroughbred breeding until his death in 1941.

The Artist

Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954) was an English animal and sporting painter associated particularly with equestrian and canine subjects.

Born in Islington in 1869, he came from a distinguished family of animal painters. His father Albert Clark (1843–1928)and grandfather James Clark (1812–1909) were both recognised for equestrian painting, while his brother William Albert Clark (1880–1963) also continued the family artistic tradition.

Frederick Albert Clark developed a particular reputation for combining accurate anatomical observation with a strong understanding of animal character. His equestrian subjects are distinguished by convincing musculature, stance, expression and an ability to convey the individual presence of the horse.

The present work is especially characteristic of that approach, balancing close observation of the animal with a more atmospheric treatment of the surrounding landscape and architecture.

Provenance

Original paper label verso:

“Frederick Albert Clark – Spion Kop Winner of the Derby Stakes 1920 – Oil on canvas – signed and dated.”

Further historic inscription verso:

“Marie G. Loder’s Spion Kop Winner of the 1920 Derby Stakes, ridden by F. O’Neill.”

Previously offered through Sworders, England.

Subsequently curated and presented for sale by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

The surviving labels and inscriptions form part of the painting’s documentary history. Their wording is recorded as found and should not, without further documentary evidence, be interpreted as establishing an unbroken chain of ownership.

Dimensions

Framed:

63.5 cm high × 72 cm wide × 3.75 cm deep

Approximately 25 × 28.3 × 1.5 inches.

Condition Report

Fine antique condition consistent with age and previous ownership.

The canvas has previously been relined for stability.

There is age-related craquelure together with areas of surface dust, spotting/foxing and minor paint loss.

The gilt-wood frame displays expected age-related wear including rubbing, scuffs and small chips and losses commensurate with age.

The painting is stable and ready for display.

Please refer closely to the photographs, which form an integral part of the condition report. Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.

Shipping

Worldwide shipping is available.

The painting will be professionally packaged with particular attention to protecting the canvas, frame and decorative mouldings and will be fully insured for transit.

Please contact us regarding international shipping quotations or any specific delivery 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, 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 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 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 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.

Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.