John Frederick Herring Sr.

The Reeve Family
Thence by descent
Sale: Sotheby's, London, November 19, 1986, lot 130
Acquired at the above sale by A. Alfred Taubman

Unlined, faint stretcher bar marks are visible and there is finely patterned craquelure throughout, slightly raised in areas but stable overall. Under UV, scattered dots and dashes of inpainting fluoresce in the background and to address frame abrasion.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The bay filly Bessy Bedlam, by Filho da Puta out of Lunatic, was foaled in 1825 and bred by Colonel King of Ashby, Lincolnshire.  Bessy Bedlam earned her fame when as a two year old she went undefeated in her first four races of 1827. Her winning streak lasted at races at Malton, Craven, Beverley, Doncaster, and Lincoln between 1827 and 1828, and each exhilarating moment was celebrated in the pages of sporting magazines and on a number of Herring’s canvases during these years.  In particular, Bessy Bedlam's races against the celebrated mare Velocipede were eagerly followed. While Bessy Bedlam bested Velocipede at Doncaster in 1827, she was defeated by her rival in 1829.  In the present work Bessy Bedlam stands on a racecourse with jockey up, with crowds of spectators visible on the horizon eagerly awaiting her next running.   

Although John Frederick Herring Sr. sketched animals since childhood, his artistic career began as a painter of signs and coaches. In his spare time he painted portraits of horses to decorate inn parlors, and his talent was eventually recognized by wealthy patrons who commissioned him to paint their hunters and racehorses. He went on to establish himself as one of England’s greatest Sporting artists, counting Queen Victoria and France’s Duc d’Orleans among his many patrons.