Sir Francis Grant P.R.A.

A favorite artist of Queen Victoria, Sir Francis Grant painted numerous portraits of the monarch and her favorite horse and dogs throughout his long and successful career.  He created a sensation with his picture Queen Victoria and Lord Melbourne Riding Together in Windsor Park, which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1840.  The success of this work made him one of the most desirable society painters of the day.

Though he painted many portraits, Grant’s personal passion was fox hunting, and this interest was manifested through his body of work.  He settled in Melton Mowbray, an area known for its stilton cheese, pork pies, melton cloth and fine fox hunting. Melton Mowbray was also the home of John Ferneley, Snr.  Grant took painting lessons from Ferneley and the two artists became close friends, collaborating on numerous works.

Grant’s best and most well recognized works are his monumental fox hunting scenes such as the present work, which draw together the pageantry, tradition and social commentary of Victorian era fox hunting.  Grant married twice, the second time to Isabella, who was the sister of the Duke of Rutland.  For Ferneley’s portrait of the Duke astride his horse Benefit, see lot 72.