Grisette Flea-Bitten Grey Hunter Mare Sporting Oil Signed Herbert St. John Jones





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Description


Herbert St. John Jones (1872–1939)
Grisette (1925)
Original Signed British Sporting Equine Oil on Canvas | Painted from Life at Nantwich

Highlights
• Original signed oil on canvas by Herbert St. John Jones (1872–1939).
• Painted from life at Nantwich and dated 19 February 1925.
• Depicts the hunter mare Grisette in full profile.
• Retains the artist's original handwritten inscription to the reverse.
• Original "The Windsor Canvas – Made in England" manufacturer's stamp.
• Extensive documented provenance with corrected historical identification.
• Supported by additional archival research undertaken with the Grosvenor Estate Archive.
• A significant example of early twentieth-century British sporting art with exceptional historical interest.

Introduction
An exceptional original British sporting oil on canvas by the respected Cheshire equestrian painter Herbert St. John Jones, depicting the hunter mare Grisette standing proudly in full profile.
Painted from life at Nantwich on 19 February 1925, this remarkable work survives not only as an accomplished sporting portrait but also as a rare documentary record of Cheshire's equestrian culture during the golden age of British fox hunting. Executed with outstanding anatomical precision and a refined understanding of equine movement, balance and conformation, the painting beautifully captures both the physical elegance and quiet intelligence of this accomplished hunter.
The mare's distinctive flea-bitten grey coat is rendered through subtle layers of silver, cream and charcoal against a restrained atmospheric background, allowing the horse to command the composition with dignity and presence. Jones's sensitive handling of light and colour reflects the remarkable observational ability that established him amongst the leading sporting artists of North-West England during the early twentieth century.
Of particular importance is the artist's original inscription preserved on the reverse of the canvas:
"Painted from Life at Nantwich — H. Herbert St. John Jones — Feb. 19th, 1925."
This rare documentary evidence confirms that the portrait was executed directly from observation rather than later in the studio, greatly enhancing both its historical and scholarly significance.
Further provenance research has restored the painting's correct identity following a later cataloguing error. Earlier auction records identify the horse correctly as Grisette, rather than Griselle, reuniting the work with its documented auction history and strengthening its provenance.

Catalogue Details
Artist: Herbert St. John Jones (1872–1939)
Title: Grisette
Date: 19 February 1925
Medium: Oil on canvas
School: British Sporting School
Subject: Portrait of the hunter mare Grisette
Signature: Signed lower left.
Inscription: Titled lower right and fully inscribed verso.
Canvas Stamp: Original "The Windsor Canvas – Made in England."
Frame: Later giltwood gallery frame.
Display: Ready for display.

Catalogue Note
Executed with remarkable technical confidence, Herbert St. John Jones portrays Grisette with all the qualities expected of an accomplished British hunter. The mare possesses a deep chest suggesting stamina, powerful hindquarters providing athletic strength, clean well-defined limbs suited to demanding hunting country and a refined, intelligent head conveying both alertness and character. Her traditionally docked tail reflects accepted sporting presentation during the period.
The artist's careful study of equine anatomy is matched by his subtle treatment of colour, with the distinctive flea-bitten grey coat built through delicate tonal transitions rather than heavy impasto. This restrained technique gives the portrait exceptional realism while preserving the elegance expected of an important commissioned sporting portrait.
Completed during the height of the 1925 Cheshire hunting season, the painting belongs to one of Britain's most distinguished equestrian traditions. During this period Eaton Hall, seat of the Grosvenor family, stood at the centre of Cheshire's hunting culture and was recognised nationally for its horse breeding, fox hunting and sporting excellence.
Historical records confirm that Herbert St. John Jones enjoyed patronage from the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, firmly establishing the artist within the sporting and artistic circle surrounding one of Britain's foremost equestrian families. Whilst no surviving documentary evidence presently identifies Grisette as a Grosvenor-owned horse, the painting's date, place of execution and Jones's documented relationship with the Westminster family place it naturally within the wider sporting milieu of inter-war Cheshire. It represents precisely the type of bespoke equestrian portrait commissioned by affluent sporting families whose lives revolved around hunting, horse breeding and the great country estates of the county.
Extensive provenance research has restored the painting's correct title following a later cataloguing error. Comparison between the artist's original copperplate inscription and earlier auction records confirms that the horse's name is correctly recorded as Grisette, rather than Griselle, reuniting the painting with its documented auction history and strengthening its provenance.
Further archival research undertaken in 2026 with the Grosvenor Estate Archive at Eaton Hall confirmed that no surviving reference to Grisette has presently been identified within the available Fine Art Database, Stud Records or Horse Engagement Books. However, the Estate also confirmed that its surviving horse records contain a documented gap between 1918 and 1931, the period during which this portrait was painted. As a result, the archives are unable either to confirm or exclude any historical connection. This correspondence provides valuable documentary context while illustrating the inevitable limitations of surviving archival records.

The Artist
Herbert St. John Jones (1872–1939) worked from his respected studio on Hospital Street, Nantwich, where he established himself as one of North-West England's foremost painters of horses, livestock and rural sporting life.
Working almost exclusively from direct observation, Jones earned an outstanding reputation for his faithful portrayals of horses belonging to Cheshire's leading landowners and sporting families. Historical records confirm commissions from the Duke and Duchess of Westminster at Eaton Hall, reinforcing his position amongst the most respected provincial sporting artists of the early twentieth century.
Today his paintings are admired for their technical accuracy, refined draughtsmanship and remarkable ability to capture the individual character and presence of each animal. Works by Jones remain highly desirable amongst collectors of British sporting art, equestrian portraiture and regional Cheshire history.

Provenance
Private Collection.
Dreweatts Neate, 29 May 2002.
Originally catalogued correctly as Grisette and offered together with its companion portrait, Silverbank.
Subsequently re-entered the market under the transcription error Griselle.
Comparative examination of the artist's original inscription confirms the correct reading as Grisette, reuniting the painting with its documented auction history.
Additional archival research undertaken with the Grosvenor Estate Archive, Eaton Hall (2026), found no surviving documentary reference to Grisette within the available Fine Art Database, Stud Records or Horse Engagement Books, whilst confirming a documented gap in surviving horse records between 1918 and 1931.
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Dimensions
Canvas
Height: 27.7 cm (10.9 inches)
Width: 33.3 cm (13.1 inches)
Framed
Height: 42 cm (16.5 inches)
Width: 49.7 cm (19.6 inches)
Depth: 4.5 cm (1.8 inches)

Condition Report
Presented in good overall exhibition condition.
The original canvas remains structurally sound with stable age-related craquelure and scattered foxing consistent with a work more than one hundred years old. There is evidence of a historic professionally executed reverse canvas repair which is secure and does not materially affect the painted surface or overall presentation.
The later giltwood gallery frame displays light age-related wear together with minor chips and losses commensurate with age and handling.
Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and condition report.



Reserve: $9,720.00

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