Portraits of Blackthorn, a Broodmare, with Old Jack, a Favourite Pony, the Property of E. Mundy, Esq. - James Ward

A detailed 1821 oil painting by James Ward featuring a broodmare and pony in a pastoral setting, characteristic of British Romantic animal portraiture.

James Ward, a prominent figure in British animal painting during the early nineteenth century, produced this work in 1821. The composition depicts two equines, Blackthorn and Old Jack, positioned within a pastoral setting. Ward, who began his career as an engraver, brought a high degree of technical precision to his oil paintings. His ability to render the musculature and textures of animal coats is evident here, as is his interest in the atmospheric conditions of the British countryside. The painting captures a quiet moment in a field, with the broodmare standing prominently while the pony remains nearby. A foal rests on the grass in the foreground, adding a sense of domesticity to the scene. The sky is filled with heavy, dramatic clouds, a common feature in Ward's work that reflects the influence of the Romantic movement. His approach to animal portraiture often involved elevating the status of the subjects, treating them with the same gravity as human sitters in formal portraiture. Ward was commissioned by E. Mundy, Esq., to document these specific animals. Such commissions were common for landed gentry who wished to record their prized livestock. The artist's attention to detail extends beyond the animals to the surrounding environment, where the river and distant trees are rendered with soft, painterly brushwork. This work remains a clear example of the British tradition of sporting and animal art, which flourished during the Georgian and Regency periods. The balance between the naturalistic depiction of the horses and the expansive, moody sky demonstrates Ward's skill in integrating animal subjects into a broader environmental context.