Lionel Dalhousie Robertson Edwards R.I., R.C.A.

Presented by the artist as a gift to the present owner.

STRUCTURE Original canvas. PAINT SURFACE The paint surface is in good clean condition with a light even varnish. ULTRAVIOLET Ultraviolet light reveals retouching to a stretcher mark along the upper edge and a few further retouchings in the upper right corner. FRAME Held in a plaster gilt frame in fair condition.
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The Hursley was founded in 1837 when the Rev. Sir John Barker Mill, then a member of the Hampshire Hunt, was granted permission to hunt independently in an area of countryside between the river Itchen and the river Test.  It was a challenging area of countryside, only twenty-five miles across, heavily wooded with a network of tracks and roads.  The hunt persevered despite these obstacles and became a subscription pack in 1840 under the mastership of Joseph White.  The second half of the 19th century saw some colourful masterships; Robert Cockburn was master for seven seasons during which time he gained the nickname 'Mahogany Bob'.  This was due to his distinguished brown rimmed boots worn in an era when pale pink was in vogue.  His skill as a huntsman gave rise to a wonderful Hursley legend; a fox is enjoying a chat with a woodsman when they are interrupted by the sound of the hunt.  'Who is out today?' asks the fox.  'Mahogany Bob' whispers the woodman in reply.  'Then I must be off; had it been any other I would have stayed and chatted an hour with you!'  

By the time Edwards painted the present work Captain John Dalgety of Lockerly Hall was master.  Edwards was a fine horseman who rode out with the vast majority of hunts in the British Isles.  He had a particular affinity with The Hursley however, as he was their chairman from before the Second World War to almost the end of his life.  Few artists therefore had a greater or more personal understanding of their subject.  The structure of the present painting, with the master and hounds contained in one half of the work, places as much emphasis on the landscape as the hunt.  Having initially specialised in watercolour Edwards became proficient in oil painting towards the end of his career.  It is a mark of his abililty that he can evoke the same superb sense of movement, light and atmosphere in the present medium.

This painting was a gift from the artist to the present owner, a surgeon who treated Edwards at the Salisbury hospital following a fall down stairs.