"Not Taking Any"

by Snaffles

Goutelette, Open Edition Print

Paper Size: 12 x 16 ins / 30 x 40 cm

This engaging winter scene shows a jockey mounted out hunting, refusing to follow a lady over a large hedge. The caption below the title reads as follows: Fair Thruster: Come on its quite alright. Steeplechase Jockey fox catching: No thank you Miss, I dont do that sort of thing for pleasure. This work was created at some point between 1911 and 1913. This was a period when Snaffles was enjoying his first taste of success; he had made enough from his drawings and paintings to buy himself out of the Army in September 1911, upon the payment of £25. By 1912 he was selling his work at an ever-increasing rate, and had begun to move upwards both financially and socially. Snaffles hunting was at this point primarily with the Garth and neighbouring packs; it was here that he met Cecil Aldin, who played a key role in nurturing Snaffles emerging talent, and was to remain a close friend until his death in 1935. It was most likely Snaffles days hunting with the Garth that were to inspire this charming piece

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