Frederick Albert Clark (1869-1954) Spion Kop, 1920 Epsom Derby Winner Oil Painting

Frederick Albert Clark (1869-1954) Spion Kop, 1920 Epsom Derby Winner An important original English sporting oil painting by Frederick Albert Clark, signed and dated 1920, depicting the celebrated chestnut racehorse Spion Kop, winner of the 1920 Epsom Derby. Painted in the year of Spion Kop's historic Derby victory, this impressive equestrian portrait combines British horse racing history with the accomplished animal painting for which Frederick Albert Clark and the wider Clark family became known. Spion Kop is portrayed standing proudly outside a stable yard, his alert ears, bright eyes and muscular stance conveying the athletic presence and individual character of a champion thoroughbred. Clark's warm chestnut reds, siennas and ochres model the horse against cooler greys, creams and muted greens within the surrounding architecture and landscape. The composition places the racehorse slightly left of centre. An open stable door and folded blanket appear to one side, while a high wall, foliage and softly painted summer sky form the background. The horse casts a subtle shadow across the earthen foreground, anchoring him convincingly within the setting. Clark combines careful draughtsmanship and detailed observation across the horse with broader, more atmospheric brushwork throughout the stable yard and landscape. Highlights across the shoulder, flank and haunches emphasise the sheen of the chestnut coat and give the animal considerable three-dimensional presence. Spion Kop: Spion Kop 1917-1941 was a British Thoroughbred racehorse bred and owned by Major Giles Loder and trained by Peter Gilpin. On 2 June 1920, Spion Kop won the 141st running of the Epsom Derby under American jockey Frank O'Neill. Coming from behind, he defeated Archaic and Orpheus and completed the race in a then record time of 2 minutes 34.8 seconds. The portrait therefore has particular historical appeal as a contemporary painting of a Derby winner, signed and dated during the same year as the horse's most celebrated victory. The Artist: Frederick Albert Clark (1869-1954) was an English sporting and animal painter and a member of the distinguished Clark family of equestrian artists. His father Albert Clark (1843-1928) and grandfather James Clark 1812-1909 were established animal painters, while his brother William Albert Clark 1880-1963 also continued the family's artistic tradition. Frederick Albert Clark specialised in equine and canine portraiture. His work is particularly admired for combining accurate observation and anatomical understanding with an ability to convey the individual character and presence of his animal subjects. Artist: Frederick Albert Clark (1869-1954) Title: Spion Kop, Winner of the Derby Stakes 1920 Date: 1920 Origin: England Medium: Oil on canvas Subject: Spion Kop, 1920 Epsom Derby winner Genre: British sporting and equestrian art Signature: Signed Frederick Albert Clark 1920 lower right Frame: Original giltwood frame Dimensions Overall framed dimensions approximately 63.5 cm high by 72 cm wide by 3.75 cm deep. Provenance The reverse retains an original paper label identifying the painting as Frederick Albert Clark, Spion Kop Winner of the Derby Stakes 1920, oil on canvas, signed and dated. A further verso inscription records Marie G. Loder's Spion Kop, Winner of the 1920 Derby Stakes, ridden by F. O'Neill. The painting was subsequently offered through Sworders, the established British auction house. Thereafter acquired, researched and curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD. Certificate of Sale and Dealer Attribution The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale and Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD, recording the artwork's catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record. Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art. Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.