Lot 20: Alfred Charles Havell (fl.1878-1884)

Steeplechasing, traditionally identified as 'Racing in Ireland' signed with monogram (lower right) oil on unlined canvas 30 x 501/4 in. (76.2 x 127.6 cm.) PROVENANCE Purchased by the present owner's family in 1959. NOTES In 1959 this picture was bought as - and an old hand-written label attached to the reverse describes it as - 'Racing in Ireland'. While there is nothing obvious in the picture to confirm this, it does seem perfectly plausible as a representation of an Irish steeplechase of circa 1880. The riders appear to be amateurs and, if so, the race is quite likely to be the Conyngham Cup at Punchestown. This was by far the most important Irish race for amateurs and indeed was close in significance to the other two main Irish steeplechases of the period: the Irish Grand National and the Galway Plate.