John Ferneley Snr.

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition, with no apparent extant damage or loss of paint. There is some old minor retouching in the sky, which is visible to the naked eye, and there are two small, minor scratches in the lower left. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals an old discoloured and opaque varnish overall, and a few areas of old, minor strengthening, particularly in the body of the horse. UV also confirms the previous retouching mentioned above. FRAME Held in a gilded slip frame, inscribed with the name of the sitter and the artist's name and date. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com, or Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@sothebys.com.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Henry Goodricke, 7^th Baronet, of Ribston Hall, Yorkshire, or 'Sir Harry' as he was known, was a well-known figure in the hunting world and one of the great sportsmen of the early 19^th century. He was, from 1831 until his death, master of the Quorn and a close friend and important patron of Ferneley's. The present painting is dated very specifically 21^st August 1833, which is unusual for Ferneley. Goodricke died of pneumonia while hunting in Ireland on 22^nd August 1833, following a forty eight hour illness. At the time Ferneley was staying at Mar Lodge in Scotland, one of Goodricke's sporting estates, where he painted quite a few pictures for Goodricke, when the news of his death arrived. It seems likely therefore that Ferneley's portrait is a posthumous one, painted in memory of his friend, envisaging him as he would have been on his last day of health, clearing hedges with reckless abandon in Ireland.

Ferneley's account book includes an entry in circa November 1833 entitled 'a group of portraits of the late Sir Harry Goodricke, Hound and Horses', which may refer to the present painting, as well as other pictures.