**THOMAS BUTLER (1730-1760)** WONDERFUL EQUESTRIAN OIL

This is an utterly captivating mid 18th Century equestrian oil by this important 18th Century artist. I absolutely love the wonderfully crazy perspective of paintings from this time - depicting horses with huge long legs and tiny heads. This particular painting is actually not bad in terms of perspective. Although he only lived to about 30, he was an important influence on mid 18th Century equestrian artists. It has a long inscription verso which reads as follows:

Broadsword. He was a most Excellent Racer.
He was the Sire of Dunwood, Jackson, Clifford
and Sampson. Pinxt Thos. Butler 1753.  

It is a good size - measuring 33 x 46cm unframed. This painting is on a lovely old mahogancy panel which is rather bowed, but this could easily be flattened out by any restorer worthy of the name. Condition overall is very good. The strength of the panel has saved it from serious damage. Under black-light there is some overpainting to the right, but this has been done extremely well and the overall image is first rate. His work does very well in auction when it comes up - which is rare - but the prices below indicate his importance.

"The Godolphin Arabian"
Painting, Oil/canvas (84x124.5 cm)
Estimate GBP 30,000 - 50,000  Christie's , London
UNITED KINGDOM , 18 May 2007
GBP 55,000

The Godolphin Arabian
Painting, Oil/canvas (81x124.5 cm)
Estimate GBP 20,000 - 30,000  Sotheby's , London
COUNTRY PURSUITS
UNITED KINGDOM , 09 Mar 2000
GBP 43,000
  
Ireland beating England over the Beacon Course at Newmarket, 18 April (1759)
Painting, Oil/canvas (66.5x101.5 cm)
Estimate GBP 12,000 - 18,000  Christie's , London
UNITED KINGDOM , 27 May 1999
GBP 42,000
 
Hunter belonging to Ralph Carr/Emma, a Hunter belonging to Mary Carr. (1755)
Painting, Oil/canvas (2) (53.5x76 cm)
Estimate GBP 8,000 - 12,000  Christie's , London
UNITED KINGDOM , 12 Jul 1996
GBP 10,500
 
Racehorse with jockey up (4)
Painting, Oil/paper/canvas (30.5x28 cm)
BRITISH PAINTINGS 1500-1850
UNITED KINGDOM , 10 Apr 1991 
GBP 11,004  Sotheby's , London

The Earl of Portmore's celebrated bay stallion whitenose
Painting, Oil/canvas (62x75 cm)
Sotheby's , London
UNITED KINGDOM , 16 May 1990
GBP 3,096 

The meet
Painting, Oil/canvas (122x200.5 cm)
BRITISH PAINTINGS 1500-1850
UNITED KINGDOM , 14 Mar 1990 
GBP 51,852  Sotheby's , London.

This is guaranteed to be 18th Century, and is absolutely lovely equestrian painting by an important artist. Once framed it would look a million dollars. Please ntoe that the LAST THREE images are of known paintings by Butler illustrating the similarity of style and subject. Postage to the US is FREE, and I am taking a bit of a risk offering it WITHOUT RESERVE - so someone is going to get it!

Terms and conditions - please read. I am an art enthusiast but it is not my profession. For reasons of clarity therefore, I follow standard auction descriptions as used by auction houses all over the world as follows:

"The artist name" In my opinion a work by the artist.

"Attributed to..." In my opinion probably a work by the artist.

"Studio of..." In my opinion, a work executed in the artists studio, under his supervision.

"Circle of..." In my opinion a work of the period of the artist and showing his influence.

"Follower of..." In my opinion a work executed in the artists style but not necessarily a pupil.

"Manner of..." In my opinion a work executed in the artist's style but of a later date.

"After..." In my opinion a copy of a work by the artist from a later date.

"Signed" In my opinion the work has been signed / dated / inscribed by the artist.

"Bears Signature / date /inscription" In my opinion the signature / date / inscription is by a hand other than the artist.