Hunting Masterpiece – The Badsworth Hunt on Foot, Easingwold by George Anderson Short

WWII Hunting Masterpiece – The Badsworth Hunt on Foot, Easingwold by George Anderson Short, c.1943 Subject & Medium An outstanding original watercolour on paper by George Anderson Short (1856–1945) depicting “The Badsworth Hunt on Foot, Easingwold Boxing Day Meet, 1943 — Hounds from Thorpe Audlin Kennels under the Mastership of Major Vernon Hugh Gamester, C.B.E., and Joint Master Charles Lyon.” Painted in wartime Yorkshire, this evocative scene preserves one of England’s most enduring country traditions — the Boxing Day Hunt Meet — at a time when rural life carried on in the face of national hardship. Composition & Technique:- Short’s later style is defined by mastery of tone and restraint. In this 1943 watercolour, he uses transparent washes and fine brushwork to capture the crisp clarity of a winter’s morning, depicting the poised hounds and composed gathering with remarkable precision. His muted palette of earth ochres, soft greys, and wintry blues reflects both the austerity and quiet dignity of wartime England. The measured composition — figures grouped against open ground and frosted hedgerows — invites reflection on continuity, community, and resilience. This is a deeply humane work, where technical finesse meets emotional resonance, painted when the artist was nearly ninety years old. About the Hunt:- The Badsworth Hunt, established in 1730, was one of Yorkshire’s most historic foxhound packs. By 1943, wartime fuel rationing curtailed mounted meets, leading to the “hunt on foot” tradition seen here. Major Vernon Hugh Gamester, C.B.E., then in his eighth season as Master, and Joint Master Charles Lyon led the Boxing Day meet at Easingwold — a gathering symbolising steadfastness amid uncertainty. Their hounds came from the renowned Thorpe Audlin kennels, celebrated for maintaining pure English foxhound lines. This painting stands both as a record of rural tradition and as a portrait of national morale, showing how communities held fast to their defining rituals even in wartime. The Artist: George Anderson Short (1856–1945) A distinguished Yorkshire-born painter, George Anderson Short dedicated his long life to portraying the landscapes, animals, and people of rural England. His career bridged the late Victorian and wartime periods, evolving from idyllic pastoral scenes to mature works marked by restraint and quiet reverence. By the 1940s, Short was among the last surviving artists of his generation. His late watercolours, such as this example, are prized for their documentary value, regional authenticity, and refined emotional tone. Signed: Lower right, “G.A. Short 1943” Verso: Titled “The Badsworth Hunt on Foot.” Authenticity confirmed by exhibition and sale records (see provenance below). Framing:- Recently reframed to museum conservation standards in a Larson Juhl gold leaf moulded frame, paired with a white and gold border mount and protected by AR70 low-reflective, UV-protective glass. This elegant presentation enhances the period warmth of the painting while ensuring long-term protection and archival safety. Ready to hang and display. Provenance:- Private Collection, Yorkshire Lincoln Fine Art Sale (Golding Young Est. 1864), 2023 Title verso: “The Badsworth Hunt on Foot” Exhibited: Nottinghamshire Dandy and Fine Interiors, curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd. Catalogue No. 47 in “Fields in Waiting: Rural Traditions During Wartime,” Famous Lord Hill Museum, Autumn 2025 This exemplary provenance confirms both the artwork’s authenticity and its recognised historical importance. Why You’ll Love It This painting is not merely a depiction of a hunt — it is a portrait of English endurance and heritage. Short captures a moment when ritual, companionship, and identity were reaffirmed against the backdrop of war. Highlights: Authentic Yorkshire sporting heritage Wartime-era English art with cultural depth Original, signed 1940s watercolour of museum calibre Rich provenance and exhibition history Newly framed to museum conservation standards A work that fuses beauty, history, and resilience A superb acquisition for collectors of sporting art, English rural scenes, or WWII-period social history. Add this notable Yorkshire sporting masterpiece to your collection today.