(British, 1815-1882) 

Chestnut Thoroughbred Racehorse Stockwell, in a loose box, signed lower right "H.Hall", oil on canvas, 16-7/8 x 21 in.; gilt wood and composition frame, 23-1/4 x 28 in.

Stockwell was bred by William Theobald and was purchased by Brownlow Cecil, 2nd Marquess of Exeter (1795–1867). Interestingly, Brownlow Cecil is the great great grandfather of William Cecil, Jr, current co-owner of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. He was not considered particularly attractive and was known to have an ill temperament, but he overcame all to be a champion racehorse, winning eight times alone in his third year. After winning The Whip in his fifth year, he went on to establish himself as the top breeder in the 1860s. Stockwell was the Champion Sire in England seven times and won second four times during that decade.

Exhibited: Morris Museum of Art, Augusta, Georgia, Augusta Collects, January 12-February 12, 1995 (label verso)

lined, restretched on old stretcher, some retouch mostly at edges, crackle; frame with wear