Stubbs

Fülszöveg

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^ 1.
STUBBS
By William Gaunt
With 48 colour plates
m
George Stubbs (1724-1806), one of the great masters of British art, remains unsurpassed as a painter of animals (particularly horses), of people and of landscapes. Strangely, his first love was anatomy. His classic study, the Anatomy of the Horse, was a masterpiece of natural history and won him a European reputation. In its precision, his art reflects his scientific talent; but it is much more: it has a classic aura - regal, calm, the work of a virtuoso with an unfailing touch.
As a painter of horses, Stubbs could not have chosen a better time to work. In the second half of the eighteenth century, landowners dominated society. Stubbs was well patronized by those who wished their life style - and their animals - to be recorded on canvas. In addition, art shows - like those sponsored by the Society of Artists and the newly formed (1796) Royal Academy - became popular. Finally, he had few competitors.
Yet his reputation... Tovább

Fülszöveg

¦I
^ 1.
STUBBS
By William Gaunt
With 48 colour plates
m
George Stubbs (1724-1806), one of the great masters of British art, remains unsurpassed as a painter of animals (particularly horses), of people and of landscapes. Strangely, his first love was anatomy. His classic study, the Anatomy of the Horse, was a masterpiece of natural history and won him a European reputation. In its precision, his art reflects his scientific talent; but it is much more: it has a classic aura - regal, calm, the work of a virtuoso with an unfailing touch.
As a painter of horses, Stubbs could not have chosen a better time to work. In the second half of the eighteenth century, landowners dominated society. Stubbs was well patronized by those who wished their life style - and their animals - to be recorded on canvas. In addition, art shows - like those sponsored by the Society of Artists and the newly formed (1796) Royal Academy - became popular. Finally, he had few competitors.
Yet his reputation among his contemporaries was not high, perhaps because as a steady, dedicated and simple man, he pursued his own interests rather than those suggested by society. Only recently has he been truly 'rediscovered' and his work given the credit it deserves.
William Gaunt has been writing books on art criticism since the 1920s. His recent books include The Great Century of British Painting: Hogarth to Turner, The Restless Century: Painting in Britain 1800-1 goo and The Impressionists.
Jacket: Detail from Racehorses belonging to the Duke of Richmond exercising at Goodwood (From Goodwood House, by courtesy of the trustees) Vissza