Antique hand colored engraving of a hunting scene 'The Earl of Derby's Stag Hounds.' Made in 1823 by Richard Woodman(1784-1859) after James Berenger's (1780-1831) painting. In excellent condition, despite its age. Set in a large and heavy high-quality antique frame, intricately carved. It is triple matted in purple and barn red, to match the riders' coats.
Measurements:
Dimensions with frame: 34.75" x 43" (88 x 109 cm).
Dimensions of engraving inside the frame (with margins): 19.75" x 25" (50 x 63.5 cm).
Frame's depth: 1.3" (3.5 cm).
This engraving was published by I. Griffin in 1823. The engraved names beneath the plate identify all the riders in Berenger's painting. On the left is Edward, Lord Stanley (the Earl's eldest son and heir), next to him is his son, the Honorable Edward Geoffrey Stanley. At the centre is the huntsman Jonathan Griffin of Carshalton, and leading the hounds away on the right is the whip Jem Bullen. Frank Siltzer describes this event in his book 'The Story of British Sporting Prints' (1900): 'Horses and hounds were always perfectly turned out, and the equipage was run entirely at the expense of Lord Derby. Every summer the whole contingent, horses, hounds and deer returned from the Oaks in Surrey to Knowsley [the Earl's main residence]; a distance of about one hundred miles and no simple matter at that period - twenty-five miles a day by road - what a business!'
