The Grey Horse – Lead Huntsman with Hounds, Crawley & Horsham, Sussex Hunt





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Description


The Grey Horse – Lead Huntsman with Hounds, Crawley & Horsham, Sussex Hunting Scene

Subject & Medium
An accomplished oil on panel hunt masterpiece painting depicting a traditional English fox-hunting scene, centred on a mounted huntsman in scarlet coat riding a grey horse, leading a disciplined pack of foxhounds across gently undulating countryside.
The subject captures one of the most iconic images of British sporting culture—the huntsman guiding hounds “in cry,” representing both authority and the finely balanced relationship between horse, rider, and pack.

Composition & Technique
The composition focuses on the critical transitional moment of the hunt—the “gone away”—when the fox has broken cover and the hounds surge forward under the huntsman’s command.
Millais constructs the scene with notable economy and confidence:
The sky is handled with loose, fluid brushwork, creating atmosphere and movement
The grey horse is anatomically precise, reflecting deep familiarity with equine structure
The hounds are painted as a unified working entity, conveying discipline and purpose
The artist’s palette is both restrained and expressive:
Scarlet red provides a commanding focal anchor
Earth greens and ochres root the composition in the English landscape
Cool greys unify horse and sky, reinforcing tonal harmony
This synthesis of observation and painterly freedom reflects Millais’ position within the tradition of British sporting art, aligned with contemporaries such as Alfred Munnings, while maintaining his own distinctive atmospheric sensitivity.

About the Artist
Hesketh Raoul Lejarderay Millais (1901–1999) was one of the most accomplished British sporting painters of the 20th century. Born in Horsham, Sussex, he was the grandson of the Pre-Raphaelite master Sir John Everett Millais and inherited both artistic talent and a profound connection to the natural world.
Unlike many sporting artists, Millais lived the life he painted:
He hunted regularly
Maintained horses as part of his professional practice
Travelled widely, sketching and observing animal life
His work is characterised by originality—“art of the field” rather than purely studio-based sporting imagery—and has been exhibited and sold through major auction houses including Christie’s and Bonhams.
Today, his paintings are increasingly appreciated for their sincerity, technical assurance, and historical resonance.

About the Hunt
The landscape and handling of the subject closely evoke the hunting country of Sussex, particularly that associated with the Crawley & Horsham Hunt, a historic foxhound pack operating across approximately 23 by 20 miles of rolling terrain.
Sussex is traditionally described as “hound country,” meaning:
The terrain is varied, with pasture and woodland
Hunting relies on the skill and cohesion of the hounds rather than speed alone
The huntsman plays a central guiding role
This is clearly reflected in the painting:
The hounds are tightly grouped and purposeful
The huntsman leads with controlled authority rather than full gallop
The landscape supports working movement across varied ground
Rather than depicting a specific meet, the painting captures the essence of Sussex hunting tradition, grounded in lived experience.

Historical Context
Fox hunting formed a defining part of British rural life from the 18th through the late 20th century, representing:
Land management and countryside knowledge
Social identity and hierarchy
Skilled horsemanship and fieldcraft
In Sussex, organised hunting traditions can be traced back to at least the 17th century, evolving into established packs such as the Crawley & Horsham Hunt.
By the late 20th century, when this work was painted, such scenes already carried a strong sense of heritage and continuity. Millais’ paintings serve as both artistic expressions and historical documents of a cultural tradition that has since undergone profound change.

Signed
Signed by the artist in the lower corner, consistent in placement and execution works by Raoul Millais.

Framed
Recently professionally presented in a high-quality Larson-Juhl gilt moulded frame, a respected name in fine art framing, chosen to complement the classical sporting subject and enhance its presence in both traditional and contemporary interiors.

Size
Height: 48 cm
Width: 56 cm
Depth: 4 cm
A refined cabinet-scale format, highly versatile and ideal for collectors, designers, and curated interiors.

Provenance
Arthur Greatorex Ltd, Grafton Street, Mayfair, London
Private UK Collection
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Privately Loaned & Exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum

Why You’ll Love It
A quintessential and highly collectible English fox-hunting scene
By a recognized 20th-century sporting artist of distinguished Pre-Raphaelite lineage
Rooted in the Sussex hunting tradition
Captures a key narrative moment—the dynamic “gone away” phase of the hunt
Combines decorative appeal with historical authenticity
Elegant cabinet size ideal for refined interiors
Professionally framed and ready for immediate display
Perfect for American sporting, equestrian, and country house collectors
Condition Report
The painting is presented in good overall condition. The surface shows minor foxing and light craquelure consistent with age and medium. The paint layer remains stable, with no significant loss or restoration visible.
The frame is recently fitted and in excellent condition, with minor imperfections consistent with high-quality handcrafted finishing.

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Reserve: $9,720.00

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