A finely painted sporting horse portrait of a bay horse in a stable by Edward Lloyd of Ellesmere. A stallion can be seen standing sideways on facing left, at the entrance of a stable stall. His head is slightly turned to reveal a white star on his forehead. On the stable floor to the bottom left, a wooden feeding pail is shown resting on straw. Beyond the arched entrance, other horses are depicted standing in a row of stalls with rugs on their backs.

Edward Llloyd was born in Ellesmere on 23 August, 1818 to Thomas and Sarah Llloyd (née Ainsworth). Although little is known about his early education, he is believed to have spent time in Manchester where he trained under Mr Agnew. Lloyd soon began specialising in sporting horse and animal paintings and often travelled around the country following the hunts and other sporting fixtures. As well as sporting paintings, he also painted cattle and sheep.

On 18 November, 1846, he married Mary Anne Wilson at Rhosymedre in Denbigh, Wales. They set up home at 80 Watergate Street in Ellesmere where they started a family. By 1860, he was living at Willow Street from where he exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1861. He gained commissions from notable figures such as Viscount Combermere, Lord Vivian and Lord Charles Ker as well as the wealthy landowners of Shropshire and Wales. He also contributed to his local community in Ellesmere, painting banners for town processions as well as producing presentations for local dignitaries.

He spent some time in Crumpsall, Lancashire during the 1880’s before returning to Ellesmere where he lived at Talbot Street. After the death of his wife in 1891 he went to live with his son Edwin and his family at Marsh House, Swinbourne Grove in Withington, Cheshire. Lloyd died in Cheshire at his son’s home aged 82 on 4 April, 1901 and was buried in Ellesmere cemetery.

© Benton Fine Art