Robert William Folkard (1811-1835) - 1831 Watercolour Bay Horse

Description

This exquisite portrait of a bay gelding by the early 19th Century Suffolk artist Robert William Folkard (1811-1835) stands in a vast landscape. The artist has captured the horse in fine detail, drawing attention to his well groomed coat and handsome face. A rare work with folk art interest, Folkard died tragically young in 1835 aged just 24, making his surviving works all the more precious. Signed and dated to the lower right. Well presented in an ornate dark wood frame with repeating floral moulded patterns. On wove laid to canvas board.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration. There is some light foxing.

Size

25 x 34.4cm (9.8" x 13.5")
Framed Size: 35.9 x 45.9cm (14.1" x 18.1")

Artist Biography

Robert William Folkard was born at Beccles, Suffolk, in 1811 and baptised at Burnham Westgate, Norfolk on 30 May 1813, son of James Folkard (1751-1820), a veterinary surgeon at Beccles, and his second wife Elizabeth née Brown. A Suffolk provincial painter who at one time was an assistant in the studio of Edwin Cooper, he exhibited at the Norwich Society of Artists from Beccles in 1832, 'Three-year Old - A Design' and in 1833, two paintings 'Brood Mare and Foals and Four-year-old' and 'The Portrait of a Favorite Pony and Dog, the property of Osmond Clark, Esq.'. His work is usually signed and dated. Described as an animal and portrait painter when he died at Beccles, Suffolk on 9 November 1835, aged just 24, he was buried at Friends Burial Ground, Wymondham, Norfolk, seven days later.