"Stanley Barker and The Pytchley Hounds"

by Sir Alfred Munnings

image size - 28 x 22 ins (71 x 56 cm)

paper size - 24 x 18 ins (60 x 46 cm )

Open Edition Giclee Print

Stanley Barker and the Pytchley Hounds was painted by Alfred Munnings, a renowned British twentieth century painter. Munnings had a passion for horses and this is reflected in his artworks which predominantly consist of equestrian scenes such as horse racing and fox hunting.

Stanley Barker and the Pytchley Hounds is a delightful painting set in the rolling hills of the English countryside and surrounded by a pack of energetic Pytchley hounds. The Pytchley hounds were from the Pytchley Club which was formed during the eighteenth century, a fox hunting organisation based in Northamptonshire, just outside of the village of Pytchley. This is equestrian portrait which was probably commissioned by Stanley Barker himself as example of his aristocratic status within society. Stanley Barker and the Pytchley Hounds is a quintessentially English hunting scene with the composition dominated by Stanley Barker seated upon his horse wearing the traditional scarlet jacket, white stock and a black velvet hat. The scarlet jackets are worn by gentlemen referred to as Masters of the Hunt and they are traditionally responsible for leading the fox hunt. This shows him as having a prominent role within the Pytchley fox hunting organisation and emphasises the fashion, elegance and style of fox-hunting in the twentieth century.