19th Century Oil Painting Melton Bay Hunter Race Horse Jockey Fred Archer Up

Victorian Sporting Oil Painting of Melton with Fred Archer by F. S. Evans, Signed 1885 An exceptional Victorian oil on canvas by the British sporting artist F. S. Evans, signed and dated 1885, depicting the celebrated Thoroughbred Melton with the legendary Champion Jockey Fred Archer mounted. Painted during the remarkable 1885 racing season, this important sporting portrait commemorates one of the greatest partnerships in nineteenth-century British horse racing. Melton is portrayed standing in elegant side profile against the Norfolk landscape surrounding Lord Hastings' Melton Constable estate. Evans demonstrates an accomplished understanding of equine anatomy, beautifully capturing the horse's powerful musculature, lustrous bay coat and graceful proportions. Fine attention has been given to every detail, from the polished leather tack and saddle to Archer's distinctive racing silks, while the expansive landscape and atmospheric sky create a composition of balance and refinement. The work belongs to the great British sporting tradition established by artists such as George Stubbs, Benjamin Marshall, John Frederick Herring Sr., Harry Hall and John Ferneley. A closely related portrait of Melton by F. S. Evans is held in the National Trust Collection at Seaton Delaval Hall, illustrating the historical importance of the artist's surviving work. Frederick James Archer (1857–1886) is widely regarded as one of the greatest jockeys in the history of British racing. Champion Jockey for thirteen consecutive seasons, he rode 2,748 winners and claimed five Derby victories together with six St Leger wins. His partnership with Melton reached its peak in 1885 when horse and rider won both the Derby Stakes and the St Leger, securing their place in racing history. Foaled in 1882, Melton was trained by the celebrated Mathew Dawson at Newmarket and won eleven of his eighteen races, including the Derby Stakes, St Leger Stakes, July Cup, New Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Middle Park Plate. Following retirement he became an influential stallion in Britain and Italy, leaving a lasting legacy within Thoroughbred breeding. The painting is signed and dated 1885 and is presented in its impressive original late Victorian gilt moulded frame beneath protective glass, preserving both its period character and decorative appeal. Provenance is excellent. The painting comes from the distinguished estate of Stafford Ellerman (1928–2022) and was sold as Lot 1178 in Ewbank's Silver & Fine Art Auction, Surrey, on 21 March 2024, catalogued as "Melton: A Bay Racehorse with Fred Archer (1857–1886) Up" by F. S. Evans. The reverse of the original canvas bears the trade stamp of Percy Young, 137 Gower Street, London, a respected supplier of artists' materials and principal supplier to the Slade School of Art. The painting has been professionally researched, catalogued and curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD. Dimensions: Height 81 cm. Width 99 cm. Depth 2.5 cm. Condition: Fine antique condition overall. The painting displays attractive age-related craquelure, light foxing and minor surface wear consistent with its age. Colours remain rich and well preserved with excellent definition throughout. The original gilt frame has expected age-related wear but remains structurally sound and highly decorative. A rare opportunity to acquire an original Victorian sporting portrait depicting one of Britain's most celebrated racehorses and its greatest jockey, with documented provenance, outstanding historical significance and excellent decorative presence.