Description
Subject & Medium
An outstanding original watercolour painting on paper by George Anderson Short (1856–1945) depicting
“The Badsworth Hunt on Foot, Easingwold Boxing Day Meet, 1943 — Hounds from Thorpe Audlin Kennels under the Mastership of Major Vernon Hugh Gamester, C.B.E., and Joint Master Charles Lyon.” Painted in wartime Yorkshire, this evocative scene preserves one of England’s most enduring country traditions — the Boxing Day Hunt Meet — at a moment when rural life persisted in the face of national hardship.
Composition & Technique
Short’s later style is defined by mastery of tone and restraint. In this 1943 watercolour, he uses transparent washes and fine brushwork to render the crisp clarity of a winter’s morning, capturing the poised hounds and calm order of the gathering.
His muted palette of earth ochres, soft greys, and wintry blues reflects both the austerity and quiet dignity of wartime England.
The measured composition — groups of figures against open ground and frosted hedgerows — invites reflection on continuity, community, and resilience.
This is a deeply humane work, where technical finesse meets emotional resonance, painted when the artist was nearly ninety years old.
About the Hunt
The Badsworth Hunt, established in 1730, was one of Yorkshire’s most historic foxhound packs.
By 1943, wartime fuel rationing limited mounted meets, leading to the “hunt on foot” tradition seen here.
Major Vernon Hugh Gamester, C.B.E., then in his eighth season as Master, and Joint Master Charles Lyon led the Boxing Day meet at Easingwold — a gathering symbolising steadfastness during uncertainty. Their hounds came from the renowned Thorpe Audlin kennels, celebrated for maintaining pure English foxhound lines.
This painting thus stands as both a record of rural tradition and a portrait of national morale, showing that even under wartime restriction, communities held fast to the rituals that defined them.
The Artist: George Anderson Short (1856–1945)
A distinguished Yorkshire-born painter, George Anderson Short dedicated his long life to portraying the landscapes, animals, and people of rural England.
His career bridged the late Victorian and wartime periods, moving from idyllic rural scenes to mature works rich in observation and quiet reverence.
By the 1940s, Short had become one of the last surviving artists of his generation — his late watercolours, such as this one, are now recognised for their documentary value and refined emotional tone.
Collectors and historians prize his work for its regional authenticity, technical precision, and cultural resonance.
Signed
Lower right: “G.A. Short 1943”
Verso titled: “The Badsworth Hunt on Foot.”
Authenticity confirmed by exhibition and sale records (see provenance below).
Framed
Recently reframed to museum conservation standards in a Larson Juhl gold leaf moulded frame, paired with a white and gold border mount and protected by AR70 low-reflective, UV-protective glass.
This elegant new presentation highlights the period warmth of the painting while ensuring long-term protection and archival safety.
Ready to hang and display.
Dimensions framed overall 58.5 cm (W) × 48.5 cm (H) × 3.5 cm (D)
Provenance
Private Collection, Yorkshire
Lincoln Fine Art Sale (Golding Young Est. 1864), 2023
Title verso: “The Badsworth Hunt on Foot”
Exhibited in Nottinghamshire Dandy and Fine Interiors, curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Catalogue No. 47 in “Fields in Waiting: Rural Traditions During Wartime,” Famous Lord Hill Museum, Autumn 2025
This exemplary provenance confirms both the artwork’s authenticity and its recognised historical importance.
Why You’ll Love It
This painting is not merely a depiction of the hunt — it is a portrait of English endurance and heritage.
Short’s work captures a moment when ritual, companionship, and identity were reaffirmed against the backdrop of war.
Authentic Yorkshire sporting heritage
Wartime-era English art with cultural depth
Original, signed 1940s watercolour of museum calibre
Rich provenance and exhibition history
Newly framed to museum conservation standards
An artwork that fuses beauty, history, and resilience
A superb acquisition for collectors of sporting art, English rural scenes, or WWII-period social history.
Condition Report
Excellent condition throughout.
Watercolour surface is clean and stable, with no fading, some minor foxing stains to the upper sky area
Colours remain vibrant and evenly preserved.
Newly mounted on acid-free archival materials.
Frame, mount, and glass are in pristine condition.
Professional framing ensures full preservation and display quality.
Add this notable sporting hunt Yorkshire masterpiece to your collection today.
Reserve: $2,228.00
Shipping:
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In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Condition
Used
Buyer's Premium
20%
WW2 Hunting Masterpiece Painting – The Badsworth Hunt on Foot, Easingwold C1943
Estimate $2,500-$3,000
Starting Price
$1,100
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Meet the Auction House
10500
4.5
54334
Sporting, Animal & Equestrian Art Auction
May 07, 2026 5:00 PM EDTNew York, NY, United States
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