HARRY HALL (1814-1882)   Famous Racehorses     The 19th century proved to be one of the greatest periods in English Sporting art, and one of the most sought after artist during the early days was John Frederick Herring, Sr. (1895-1865).  Herring captured many of the most famous racehorses of the time on canvas, but there were many other artists whose work was also in demand; among them was Harry Hall.   Born in the fashionable eastern town of Cambridge in 1814, it appears that Hall may have received some of his artistic training from another great Sporting artist - Abraham Cooper (1787-1868).    Hall’s made his first appearance at Tattersalls - working on a number of their publications, including British Racehorses, The Sporting Review, The Field and The Illustrated London News.   His earliest exhibited work was a portrait of Edward Wetherby, Esq. that was shown at the Royal Academy (RA) in 1838 while he was living in St. John’s Wood.  It appears that he made the move to Newmarket towards the end of the 1840’s to concentrate on painting horse portraits and other animal subjects – these included shooting, poaching and rabbiting scenes.  He continued to submit works to the RA until 1864, among the paintings shown were: Thoroughbred mares and foal (1846), Hunters, the property of F.L. Popham, Esq. (1851) and Favorite Hunters, the property of S.H. Arkwright, Esq., Hampton Court (1863).   Hall was also a frequent exhibitor at the British Institution, showing his first work there - Interior of a stable with Cart Horses - in 1847 and continuing to exhibit until 1866.  However, it appears that he favored exhibiting at the Royal Society of British Artists (RBA).  His exhibited first exhibited work at the RBA was in 1839 - A Brood Mare - and he continued sending works until 1875, exhibiting 27 works in all.  Among the paintings shown were: Portrait of Rhedycinz, ridden by F. Butler – Winner of the Oaks at Epsom (1851); The Poacher Disturbed (1857); Rufus, a hunter, the property of John Fairman, Esq. (1861) and Disputed Possession (1875).   Working in Newmarket for more than 40 years Harry Hall received numerous commissions and after Herring, Sr.’s death in 1865, it appears that he became the most sought after animal portraitist.  Among his important commissions were:  Portrait of Irish Birdcatcher (currently in the collection of The Baltimore Museum of Art); Iroquios (the first American bred horse to win the English Derby); Sir Tatton Sykes (winner of the St. Leger in 1846), Blink Bonny (winner of both the Derby and Oaks in 1857); Blair Athol (winner of the Derby and St. Leger in 1864) and Count Lagrange’s horse Gladiateur (winner of the Derby and St. Leger of 1865).   Like a number of his contemporaries, including J.F. Herring, F.C. Turner, E. Corbet, and Abraham Cooper, many of Hall’s racehorse portraits - 114 in all - were used for engravings in The Sporting Magazine.   Today many of his works are in important collections of Sporting art throughout the world and are a wonderful picture of the great racing tradition in England during the 19th century.   This essay is copyrighted by Rehs Galleries, Inc. and may not be reproduced or transmitted without written permission from Rehs Galleries, Inc. Please remember that all works illustrated below have been SOLD. Click on any image to enlarge it and see more information about the work Harry Hall (1814 - 1882) Blink Bonny, with J. Charlton Up, Owner & Trainer Oil on canvas 28 x 36 inches Signed and dated 1857/8 Winner: Derby, 1857 Oaks, 1857 Harry Hall (1814 - 1882) Blair Atholl Oil on canvas 28 x 36 inches Signed, inscribed and dated 1865 Winner: Derby, 1864 St. Leger, 1864   Harry Hall (1814 - 1882) Sterling Oil on canvas 28 x 36 inches Signed, inscribed and dated 1872 Winner: The Hopeful Stakes, 1870 The Rutland Stakes, 1870 The 2000 Guineas Stakes, 1871 The Thirteenth Ascot Biennial Stakes, 1871 A Free Handicap Sweepstakes 100 Sovs., 1871 The Craven Stakes, 1872 The Liverpool Autumn Cup, 1873   Harry Hall (1814 - 1882) Prince Plausible, with G. Fordham Up Oil on canvas 22 x 30 inches Signed and dated 1864 Harry Hall (1814 - 1882) West Australian, with Jockey Up & Trainer Oil on canvas 23 x 30 inches Signed, inscribed and dated 1853 West Australian was the first horse to win the Triple Crown in England. Winner: Derby, 1853 St. Leger, 1853 The Ascot Gold Cup, 1853   Harry Hall (1814 - 1882) Isonomy Oil on canvas 35 x 48 inches Signed and dated 1878/9 Winner: The Second Nursery Stakes, 1877 The Cambridge Stakes, 1878 The Gold Vase, 1879 The Ascot Gold Cup 1000 Sovs., 1879 The Goodwood Cup 300 Sovs., 1879 The Brighton Cup 300 Sovs., 1879 The Great Ebor Handicap 20 Sovs., 1879 The Manchester Cup 2000 Sovs., 1880 The Ascot Gold Cup 1000 Sovs., 1880   Harry Hall (1814 - 1882) The Racehorse 'Fisherman' Oil on canvas 22 x 30 inches Signed Harry Hall (1814 - 1882) Cremorne Oil on canvas 17 x 21 inches signed and dated 1872 Winner: Derby, 1872   Harry Hall (1814 - 1882) 'Fantastie', with Jockey Up Oil on canvas 23 x 30 inches Signed and dated 1863