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The subject of this portrait, a Mr Fulwar Craven Esq. of Brockhampton Park held an assured position in aristocratic English society as a well-connected, landed gentleman. Regarded however as a sportsman first and foremost, Craven is depicted astride his grey Norfolk Hackney against the backdrop of the 4-miles stables on the road to Newmarket. Craven was immensely proud of his horses, having sketched a portrait of of his mare Bess, better known as ‘The Cow’, a portrait currently held in the Royal Collection Trust. Fulwar Craven appears himself as a foppish raven-haired and pigeon-chested bloodstock owner ‘The Craven’ in a series by Richard Dighton (1795-1880) – a depiction that when seen alongside Dighton’s other lithographs, portrays a man of considerable ostentatious flair and swagger as noted in Taunton’s book ‘Portraits of Celebrated Racehorses’
In all that he did, and all that he said, there was a dry, eccentric humour, which was peculiarly his own, but which never overstepped the bounds of good breeding and kindly feeling…[…]…The tout-ensemble of the man was so remarkable, that it could not fail to attract the general attention of visitors on the course. The careless cock of his battered white hat was in itself all character
Taunton, Thomas Henry. Portraits of Celebrated Racehorses of the Past and Present Centuries. Searle & Rivington, London, 1883. Page 422
In Herring’s lively portrait here presented, our subject exudes a more restrained appearance, excepting his recognisable tall top-hat. This encourages the viewer to instead admire the profile and muscle tone of his steed in keeping with equine portraits of the time. Craven’s commissioned painting was intended to advertise the quality and presentation of the horse as seen in the glossy flank, muscular tone and cropped tail of the animal. The horse is depicted mid-canter during the fleeting moment of suspension where all four hooves are above the ground at once. Herring’s depiction of the horse and rider in canter rather than in a stationary posed portrait is an interesting one as it presents Craven as a high society sportsman rather than a gentleman bloodstock owner. In this sense, the horse is presented as of equal importance to its rider, a impressive feat when compared to a man of such an electric impression.
Lot 485 in our upcoming Country House Collections Auction
JOHN FREDERICK HERRING, SEN. (1795-1865)
Fulwar Craven Esq. (1782-1860), mounted on his Norfolk Hackney, passing the Four Mile Stables on the Cambridge Road to Newmarket, to the beacon winning post
signed and dated 'J.F. Herring./ 1834'. (lower left)
Oil on canvas
69 x 89.5 cm
Provenance:
Sir Walter Gibney, 1st Bt., of Elsenham Hall, Essex; Christies's, London, 11 June 1915, lot 329 (75 gns. to Ackerman); almost certainly William Westenra, 6th Baron Rossmore (1892-1958), Rossmore Castle, Co. Monaghan, moved to Camla Vale, Co. Monaghan in the 1940s, thence by descent
€20,000 - 30,000
John ffrench was an instrumental figure in the design industry in Ireland and a distinguished pioneer of Irish studio pottery.
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"I should declare my hand. I have a weakness for pictures that punch above their physical weight, and for artists who have been quietly underrated for too long. This pair is both. They are intimate enough to live with at close quarters and serious enough to repay any amount of looking. If the market has lately shown signs of catching up with eighteenth-century Irish painting and I think it has, these two small panels feel, to me, like exactly the sort of thing that will look obvious in twenty years’ time."
Adam’s is honoured to present works from the collection of Lord Rossmore in the upcoming Country House Collections auction at Howth Castle on 28th April. It is seldom that an influential Irish family collection that has survived through the generations comes to the open market.
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A great opportunity to purchase both established and lesser-known artist’s work at an accessible price point, the Online Picture Auction is the first of many sales to be hosted at Adam’s in 2026. It is perfect for those looking to start a collection and the discerning collector alike.
Through this article, let our expert Adam Pearson guiding you to the (re)discovery of the once established Irish painter Richard O’Neill.
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2024 is a year in which Adam’s wants to recognise the key role buying antique furniture and furnishings at auction contributes greatly to the sustainable initiative. In 2019 the Environmental Protection Agency reported stark figures that each year in Ireland 1.2 million reusable bulky items, primarily furniture goes into landfill. Similar to the problem of ‘fast fashion’, the constant production and consumption of new items is leading to rapidly growing waste problem. We want to acknowledge those who are already buying second hand or antique furniture at auction and to encourage new buyers by highlighting the benefits of acquiring affordable, well-made quality items that are built to last.
Irish author, recipe creator and lifestyle influencer, Indy Parsons, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
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Cork-born Irish actress, Sarah Greene, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
James Adam & Sons Ltd, Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, 26 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2,
D02 X665, Ireland
