John Nost Sartorius

Thomas Miller Whitehead (1825–1897), London (according to a label on the reverse);

From whom acquired by John Dunn Gardner (1811–1908) in 1891 for £120 (according to a label on the reverse);

Thence by descent to private collection, UK;

By whom sold anonymously, Cheffins, 1 October 2020, lot 57 for £4,800;

Where acquired by the current owner.

London, Grosvenor Gallery, Exhibition of Works of Art Illustrative of and connected with Sport, February 1890, no. 226 (lent by Thomas Miller Whitehead).

Smolensko (1810–1829), presumably named after Napoleon's victory at the Battle of Smolensk, Russia, in 1812, was sired by Trumpator and thus carried on the bloodline of the Godolphin Arabian. He was winner in 1813 of the 2000 Guineas Stakes and the Epsom Derby. He won seven of his eight races and retired to stud at Great Barton, the Bunbury estate in Suffolk. Smolensko sired many winning offspring including the filly Gulnare, winner of the 1827 Epsom Oaks, and Jerry, a colt who won the 1824 St Leger Stakes.

Another signed version of this composition was offered at auction in 1996.¹

¹ Oil on canvas, 48 x 66 cm.; London, Phillips, 18 June 1996, lot 48, unsold.