The Essex Hunt - The Death (Fox headed & making Dunmow Highwood)
Hand-colored aquatint print on paper • Painted and Engraved by Dean Wolstenholme Jr. (1798–1882); Published by the artist at 22 Chad's Row, Gray's Inn Road, London.
Style & Movement
British Sporting Art (Nineteenth Century)
Medium & Technique
Etched aquatint with hand-applied watercolor washes. The technique allows for tonal gradations resembling watercolor painting.
Creation Period
Published May 1, 1844 (Early Victorian era)
Dimensions & Format
Landscape format; approximately 19 x 26 inches (plate size) or 24 x 30 inches framed.
Subject Description
A fox hunting scene at Dunmow Highwood featuring portraits of specific hunt members and hounds. In the background is Easton Lodge, the seat of the Right Hon. Lord Maynard. The composition depicts 'The Death' of the fox, with huntsmen in 'pink' coats on horseback and a pack of hounds gathered in a rural landscape.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. The image remains vibrant but shows clear signs of age-related degradation.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $800 USD (Reflecting standard sporting art market for 19th-century prints)
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600 USD
Provenance History
Likely British or American private collection. Visible inscription confirms the London publication by D. Wolstenholme in 1844.
Art Historical Significance
Wolstenholme Jr. was a noted animal painter and engraver. This print is significant as a documentary record of 19th-century English country life and specific gentry (the Essex Hunt), combining landscape painting with portraiture.
Notable Features
Includes detailed topographical and genealogical text in the lower margin referencing Easton Lodge, Lord Maynard, and Henry J. Conyers. The hand-coloring is particularly delicate in the depiction of the riders' coats.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing (brown spots) in the sky area, horizontal staining/discoloration likely from moisture or acidic backing, and edge wear to the paper. The paper appears slightly toned/yellowed overall.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional deacidification and cleaning by a paper conservator; reframing using archival, acid-free matting and UV-protective glass to prevent further fading and foxing.