George Stubbs A.R.A.

Colonel Thomas Thornton, Thorntonville Royal
Sale: Hickman, May 11, 1820, lot 54
Ellis and Smith
Sale: Christie's, London, February 6, 1931, lot 82 (as Anvil)
Baliol (acquired at the above sale)
M. Knoedler and Co., Inc., New York
Henry Arthurton
Sale: Sotheby's, London, July 6 1949, lot 83 (as Anvil)
General Norrie (aquired at the above sale)
Sale: Christie's, London, October 24, 1958, lot 42 (as Anvil
Baer)

London, Tate Gallery, Arthurton Collection, 1934
London, Whitechapel Art Gallery, 1935

Sporting Magazine, January 1808, vol. 31, illustrated facing title page (engraving by John Scott after this work)
Judy Edgerton, George Stubbs, Painter: catalogue raisonné, New Haven, 2007, no. 341

The following condition report was kindly provided by Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc.: This painting has not been restored for some time. The canvas is lined using glue as an adhesive. Slight instability has developed in the upper center sky and other raised cracks are visible in the tree in front of the horse's head and along the bottom edge. The paint layer is quite dirty and underneath the varnish a few retouches have been applied in the horse and in the landscape, but the retouches are fairly broad and do not seem to address any serious damage, as one so often sees in Stubbs' paintings. Naturally enough, some cracking has developed in the sky – some of these have received retouches and there are a few areas in the upper right which have also been retouched. The retouches have darkened in many places, especially in the horse. Since we feel the condition is very respectable, we would encourage a full cleaning, subsequent retouching, and possibly even a changing of the lining. To the naked eye (but not visible under UV) are a few other spots of restoration in the upper tree on the left. This seems to be an isolated occurrence but to our eye we are unaware of any significant restoration which has not been described above.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Ambrosio, a bay stallion known for the white star on his head, enjoyed a successful career, winning the York for John Lowther and the St. Leger for Joseph Cookson before retiring to Thomas Haworth's stud farm at Barham Wood.  This is where George Stubbs presumably painted him.  Stubbs depicted Ambrosio not as a victorious racehorse, but as an older horse that had earned respect and admiration from his owners.