Coursing Scene with Greyhounds and a Rider
Painting on wooden panel • Dean Wolstenholme the Elder (1757-1837)
Style & Movement
British Sporting Art / Romanticism
Medium & Technique
Oil on panel employing fine-layered glazing and detailed descriptive brushwork typical of British sporting art.
Creation Period
Circa 1800-1810
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 20 x 25 cm (Landscape format)
Subject Description
A classic field sports narrative featuring two greyhounds in full stretch pursuing a hare. A mounted rider in a top hat appears on the left horizon. The composition uses a low perspective to emphasize speed, set against a vast English landscape with a dramatic, clouded sky.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good with visible historical aging; professional restoration noted by owner.
Estimated Market Value
$3,000 - $5,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$2,000 - $4,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely originated from a private English sporting collection; style is consistent with high-demand 19th-century provincial gentry commissions.
Art Historical Significance
Wolstenholme is a significant figure in British sporting art. This piece exemplifies the transition from literal documentation of hunts to a more atmospheric, Romantic depiction of the English countryside.
Notable Features
The elongated 'rocking horse' gait of the hounds is a hallmark of pre-photography sporting art. The fine treatment of the sky and the atmospheric perspective in the distant valley indicate a high-quality hand.
Condition Issues
Pronounced craquelure throughout the paint film; horizontal stress cracks consistent with wood panel movement over time. Previous overpainting/retouching likely present in the sky areas.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) to prevent further panel movement. Use UV-protective glazing and keep away from direct heat sources. Periodic inspection of the varnish layer is advised.
Collector Notes
Wolstenholme the Elder (1757-1837). Oil on panel Restored and the frame restored too Circa 1800