Object number
65/354
Title
Prize Pig,
Creator
Description
This is an oil painting depicting a black pig in the doorway of a barn, painted by R. Whitford in 1872. This pig won a prize at The Royal Agricultural Society Show in Cardiff in 1872.
Physical description
1 painting: gold frame with perspexInscription on painting (centre bottom) reads: Prize at RAS Cardiff 1872 Inscription on bucket on left hand side reads: W.M.W.H (possibly initials of owner of pig)
Label Text
Prize pig painting. Richard Whitford created this oil painting of a black Berkshire pig in 1872. This was the same year the pig won the Royal Agricultural Society's show in Cardiff. This breed of pig was highly sought after in the 19th century. The show's judges wrote that 'as for type, quality frame, and coat, they are amongst the best-looking pigs out'. Berkshire pigs have a long history within British meat-eating culture. They are the oldest pedigree pig group in Britain. However, they also have an international reputation, being well renowned in Japan.1. 'Prize Pig', oil painting by Richard Whitford, 1872. Black pigs of the Berkshire breed were popular in the nineteenth century. This one was a prize winner at the Royal Agricultural Society's Show at Cardiff in 1872. The judges report that year described the Berkshires 'as for type, quality frame, and coat, they are amongst the best-looking pigs out' (Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England), 1972, p.399. Richard Whitford (c.1821-90) was a Worcestershire artist much in demand by farmers for portraits of their prize stock. 65/354.
Archival history
MERL ‘Hand written accession form’ (Institute of agricultural History) - ‘OIL PAINTING // LIVESTOCK Pigs breed // Description: BLACK PIG. Painted by R. Whitford 1872, Animal painter to.....? Oil on canvas // Dimensions: Gold frame, 50cm wide x 39cm high // Associated information: This pig won a prize at The Royal Agricultural Society Show in Cardiff in 1872. W. M. W. H. Initials at left hand side of picture, possibly owner of the pig.’
Production date
1872-01-01
Object name
Material
Dimensions
- Height 39.5 cm
- Width 49.7 cm
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_6392.tif - High resolution image
