A well-executed sporting horse painting of a bay hunter in a field by James Albert Clark. The horse is posed in front of a low stone wall with his head slightly turned towards the viewer. The placement of the horse facing left in the landscape allows us to see the coronet and sock markings on his lower hind limbs. Although the name of the horse has sadly been lost over the years, the portrait was most likely commissioned by his owner to commemorate the horse in some way, perhaps after a sporting achievement or breeding success.

James Albert Clark was an animal painter born in Shoreditch on 17 February, 1863. He was part of the Clark family of artists and was the son of the artist James Clark (1812-1884) and his second wife Frances Mary Ann Parsons. His half-brothers, Samuel James Clark (1841-1928), Albert Clark (1843-1928) and Octavius Thomas Clark (1850-1921) were also artists.

He lived with his family at 21 Walbrook Street, St Leonards, Shoreditch, where he was first taught art by his father. In 1879, he moved with his parents to 67 Riversdale Road, Islington and it was here that James and his father set up a studio together when he was of age. As well as producing their own paintings of prize-winning animals and horses they also worked together as ‘James Clark and Son’. They often signed their collaborative works as James Clark and Son with the address written underneath.

He married Mary Ann Blight in 1889 and they lived with his parents at Riverdale Road. They had two children together and their son Horace Gordon Clark (1891-1959) also became an artist. Whilst living in Islington, Clark used to visit the local agricultural hall to paint the livestock on show. After his father’s death in 1884, he continued to work on commissions to paint animal portraits including racehorses such as this fine example.

His first wife Mary Ann died in 1892 and in 1900 he married Frances Charlotte Parsons, who was a cousin on his mother’s side. In 1908, he moved to Landseer Road, Holloway where two more of his children were born. As well as being a painter he also worked as a picture restorer for James Lawrence Castiglione, a fine art auctioneer and picture dealer. After divorcing in 1918, he married for the third time to Annie Elizabeth Keen and had two further children. It is likely that this coincided with his move to 79 Hanley Road in Islington where he continued working as a picture restore and later an antique dealer. He died on 7 November, 1955 at Whittington Hospital, St Pancras.

Examples of his work, including those he worked on with his father can be found at the Museum of English Rural Life and the Royal Agricultural Collection.

© Benton Fine Art