Lot 336: Thomas Smith of Derby fl.1745-1767 , A hunting party with hounds catching the scent

signed l.l.: T: Smith Pinx: t 1751 oil on canvas

measurements note 83 by 201 cm., 33½ by 79 in.

Anon. sale, Sotheby's, 29th November 2001, lot 192

Thomas Smith of Derby, known as Smith Derby, is mentioned by Vertue in 1743 "some large ... landskips (sic) by ... Smith are of a good manner and taste is worthy of commendation. and does honour to the Art of Painting in that kind in England". Edward Edwards wrote that Smith "attained his art by his own industry' and was 'one of the finest artists who explored and displayed the beautiful scenes of his native country". Smith worked mainly in the Midlands, painting picturesque landscapes in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, the Lake District and in Leicestershire, including a view of Chatsworth in circa 1743, and a view of Staunton Harold Hall, in Leicestershire, in circa 1750. A rare artist, he is best known for the engravings of his work by Francis Vivares. The pair of them are known to have sketched in Yorkshire and the Lake District circa 1752, and their Forty Views of the Peak, which were published by John Boydell in 1760 are probably his best known works. He also painted a view of Haddon Hall, and it has been suggested that this rare early hunting scene may be a view near Belvoir, the very heart of fox hunting country.