Off to the Races is an exhibition featuring over 40 recently discovered equestrian paintings from one of the largest private sporting art collections in the United States.
The paintings in “Off to the Races” depict many different equestrian scenes and events in sizes ranging from 10”H x 13”W to 40”H x 50”W. All are completed with beautiful hand crafted frames to compliment each work of art. The exhibition can be viewed on the Gratz Gallery website www.gratzgallery.com and a color brochure is available upon request.
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The upcoming exhibition at Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio is a celebration of America’s love for horses and horse racing. We present this show during a time when equestrian enthusiasts are gearing up for the highly anticipated Kentucky Derby, Radnor Hunt, Winterthur Steeplechase and the Devon Horse show. America’s love for horses and horse racing has existed since the founding of our nation and continues to delight in present time. The exhibition features some the best early works of Peter Howell (b1932), Thomas Sherwood La Fontaine (b, 1915) as well as a variety of other artists and period equestrian art.
Peter Howell was born in Caernarvon, North Wales in 1932 and was involved in horse racing well before developing his path as an artist. He translated his love for horses and horse racing into his painting and captured the beauty and action of all aspects of the equestrian world. Peter Howell has a unique impressionist style with a beautiful display of colors and moods. The images vividly depict the action of the track, flats and steeple chase events. He lends a modern approach to equestrian painting that is fresh and exciting and can be observed in works such as “Clearing the Jump” “Steeple Chase” and “The Turn from Swinley”
Thomas Sherwood La Fontaine was born in Smyrna, Turkey in 1915 and served in the military in Great Britain. He was known for his sporting art that included fox hunting, polo and racing scenes. He has exhibited at the Royal Academy in London in the 1940s and 1950s and Thomas was well known for his many commissioned paintings of notable race horses and their owners. He lived in Malmesbury, Wiltshire England and divided his time between England and the United States. La Fontaine’s work is well known in equestrian circles and his work was greatly influenced by Sir Alfred Munnings. An important example in the exhibition is “Policeman”, a French thoroughbred that won the Prix du Jockey Club at 54 to 1 odds.
Included in the exhibition is also a wonderful example by William Webb. “Thomas Hargreaves Esq. with Holcombe Harriers”, is a 28”H x 36”W, oil on canvas, fox hunting scene in a traditional style. “Off to the Races” will run from May 13th through September 30, 2017.
Located at 5230 Silo Hill Road in Doylestown, the Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio specializes in 19th and 20th century American paintings, with a focus on painters from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Gratz Gallery also offers custom framing and fine art conservation services. The gallery hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. & Sundays, 12:00 noon – 6:00 p.m., as well as by appointment.