Man houdt paard bij de teugels vast Possibly 1857 - 1859

Charles Hunt created this print of ‘Skirmisher’ using lithography. The image presents us with a particular vision of rural England. The careful breeding and training of thoroughbreds was becoming increasingly popular among the landed gentry and newly monied classes during the 19th century. We might ask: is it merely a record of ownership or does it idealize the social order? Consider, too, the relationship between the figures: one wears fine clothes, the other doesn’t. While we can read this as a straightforward depiction of master and servant, is it also possible to see the groom’s proximity to the horse as a sign of his own skill and knowledge? To investigate further we can consult stud books, estate records, and sporting journals, to get a fuller understanding of how the institutions of horse racing reflected wider social structures. We might reflect on how the idea of Englishness is tied up with this kind of imagery.