Whistlejacket
Painting, Oil on Canvas • George Stubbs (1724–1806)
Style & Movement
Neoclassical / British Sporting Art
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas. The technique demonstrates smooth blending (sfumato) for the horse's musculature and coat, contrasted with a more painterly, atmospheric treatment of the landscape. It emphasizes anatomical precision and the luminous quality of the bay coat.
Creation Period
circa 1762
Dimensions & Format
Large scale, approximately 292 cm x 246 cm (original famous version height); Format: Nearly square / Portrait
Subject Description
A life-size portrait of the racehorse 'Whistlejacket', belonging to the Marquess of Rockingham. The horse is depicted rearing (levade) against a subdued, atmospheric landscape. Unusual for Stubbs, who typically used plain backgrounds for this subject, this version features a river and trees, highlighting the horse's power, spirit, and pedigree.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The surface appears stable with well-preserved pigments and visible varnish depth. The texture of the canvas weave is slightly visible, common for works of this age.
Estimated Market Value
$20,000,000 - $35,000,000 (Based on the rarity of major Stubbs horse portraits and the artist's record prices)
Auction Estimate
$15,000,000 - $25,000,000
Provenance History
Commissioned by Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham. Remained in the family (Earls Fitzwilliam) until the late 20th century. Major versions are held in the National Gallery, London.
Art Historical Significance
Stubbs is the most significant equestrian painter in history. His work combined scientific anatomical study with high art. 'Whistlejacket' is his most iconic subject, representing the transition from sporting art to a sublime Romanticist appreciation of nature and animal spirit.
Notable Features
The rearing pose is a traditional symbol of power (derived from royal equestrian portraits) applied here to the animal alone. Note the lack of a rider, which focuses all narrative tension on the horse's individual character and physical perfection.
Condition Issues
Possible minor craquelure consistent with age, particularly in the darker pigments of the horse's legs and the sky. Potential slight yellowing of old varnish layers.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strictly controlled humidity (45-55%) and temperature. Use UV-filtered lighting. Periodical check for varnish oxidation. The large scale requires specialized structural support for the stretcher.