Victorian Sporting Oil Painting – Full Cry The Berkeley Hunt c.1880 3 of 4

Victorian sporting oil painting – Full Cry (The Berkeley Hunt), c.1880 by Charles Faulkner (British, active c.1874–1900. This painting is number 3 of a set of four. The remaining three works in this hunting series are available separately. If you wish to acquire all four together, please feel free to message us. Subject & Medium:- Full Cry (The Berkeley Hunt) is a finely detailed oil on board capturing the most exhilarating moment in a traditional English foxhunt. Faulkner’s medium-sized works on board are prized for their clarity, precision, and energy—compact in format yet rich in storytelling. The smooth board surface enables tight figure control while preserving atmospheric depth across the countryside setting. The result blends documentary realism with the romantic character typical of Victorian sporting art. Composition & Technique:- Dynamic Foreground A leading hound races forward in full extension, setting the tempo of the painting. Three central huntsmen gallop at speed, their horses—bay, chestnut, and dark brown—rendered with convincing musculature and anatomical accuracy. Each rider is individually characterised: reins taut, posture forward, attire neatly depicted from top hats to scarlet coats. Midground & Structural Drama. To the right, a huntsman leaps his horse over a wooden gate, captured mid-flight with impressive tension and aerial lift—one of Faulkner’s hallmark sporting motifs. A bare winter tree stands sharply against the sky, serving as a structural anchor that divides the lateral sweep of the riders from the distant valley. Atmospheric Distance:- Farther back, a soft cluster of huntsmen and hounds dissolves into pale strokes, suggesting depth and distance through atmospheric perspective. The rolling fields of the Berkeley Vale are conveyed with long, sweeping marks, echoing the speed and motion of the chase. Painterly Technique:- Fine, controlled strokes articulate bridles, collars, and the hounds’ heads. Broader, scumbled applications unify sky and earth. A harmonious palette of cool English greys, winter greens, and warm hunting reds creates tonal balance and mood. This is not merely a depiction of movement—it is a painting that feels as though it is moving. About the Hunt Scene:- This work illustrates the climactic moment known as “Full Cry”—the height of the chase when hounds and riders commit fully to pursuing the fox. Historical Context:- Set within the landscape of the historic Berkeley Hunt—one of England’s oldest, dating back to the 12th century—the image reflects centuries of rural tradition, discipline, and pageantry. Narrative Depth:- The tightly packed hounds signal the proximity of their quarry. Riders drop fences, traverse fields, and follow hedgerows at full speed, revealing the athleticism of both horse and rider. Faulkner captures the essence of Victorian hunting culture: coordination, heritage, excitement, and collective energy. Everything contributes to an authentic, historically grounded narrative. About the Artist Charles Faulkner (fl. 1874–1900) specialised in intimate yet dynamic sporting subjects. Artistic characteristics include: Refined equestrian draftsmanship with precise musculature and movement Expressive, well-studied depictions of pack hounds Atmospheric subtlety—misty skies, winter hedges, rolling fields - Narrative sequencing, often portraying entire hunt cycles (Meet → View Halloo → Full Cry → Death) His works remain highly desirable among collectors of British sporting, equestrian, and Victorian narrative art. Signature:- Signed “C. Faulkner” lower right, consistent with authenticated examples. Frame:- Presented in a newly fitted Rococo-style gilt frame with refined scrolling and floral detail. Fitted with museum-quality AR70 low-reflection protective glass providing enhanced clarity, reduced glare, UV filtering, and additional conservation-level protection. The warm gold finish complements the scarlet hunting coats, the horses’ rich tones, and the natural greens of the landscape, offering a distinguished, period-appropriate presentation. An elegant display size, ideal for collectors’ galleries, country houses, libraries, and curated sporting art walls. Provenance:- Gloucestershire Art & Antiques Dealer Harriet Wynter, Interior Decorations & Antiques, Brighton Private Collection:- Exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD A strong, reputable provenance that underpins long-term collectability. Why You’ll Love It Superb depiction of the “Full Cry” moment—the height of the chase Signed example by a respected Victorian sporting artist Newly fitted Rococo-style gilt frame with museum-grade AR70 glazing Energetic composition filled with motion, drama, and atmospheric countryside detail Historically rooted in the legendary Berkeley Hunt Harmonious palette with excellent decorative presence A key work in the four-painting Berkeley Hunt series Ideal for collectors of British sporting, equestrian, and rural heritage art