Richard Stone Reeves (American, 1919-2005)
SECRETARIAT
Oil on canvas, 14" x 18"
Signed and inscribed
Literature:
Reeves, Richard Stone. Royal Blood, Fifty Years of Classic Thoroughbreds. Lexington, Kentucky: The Blood-Horse, Inc., 1994. illustrated p. 151
"I was commissioned by Mrs. Penny Chenery to paint Secretariat in June, 1973, shortly after he won the Belmont Stakes. The week after the race I drove to Belmont to do my preliminary work for the painting. I don't think any horse I've ever painted posed with more elegance. He seemed to enjoy being brought out into the early-morning sun and stood patiently in various positions for me until I was finished. Then he was reluctant to be taken back to his stall. His groom, Eddie Sweat, was wonderful with him. The two obviously were good friends, and Eddie was just as patient as Secretariat." - Reeves, Royal Blood, Fifty Years of Classic Thoroughbreds, Lexington, Kentucky: The Blood-Horse, Inc., 1994. p. 150.