Lot 36: John Dalby of York , active 1838-1853 Clearing the bank; crossing the road oil on board

a pair, one inscribed: Clearing the bank/ Dalby 1840 on an old label attached to the reverse, the other inscribed Dalby/ 1840 on an old label attached to the reverse oil on board

each 22 by 30.5cm., 8¾ by 12in.

HRH The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester KG KT KP (1900-1974), Barnwell Manor, Northamptonshire;
Sale, Christie's London, 25th and 26th January 2006, lot 248, bt. by the present owner

This pair of immaculately finished paintings captures the very essence and excitement of a day's hunting for the followers in the field. Dalby portrays with intricate finesse the refinement and elegance of the young gentlemen and their steeds. Dalby was first recorded working as a painter at 38 Stonegate, York. His father David Dalby (1794-1836) was a painter of Sporting subjects and it is believed his two brothers Thomas and Joshua were also. The main hunts around York at this time such as the Middleton, the York and Ainsty and the Badsworth provided an ample supply of patrons for such subjects. Whether the setting of these paintings is the Yorkshire dales and surrounding farmland or not, there is fine weather and a group of like minded acquaintances all share in the exhilarating moment of when a horse clears a fence at full speed.