Object number
64/40
Collection
Creator
Description
This is a painting of 'The Champion Shorthorn', showing the shorthorn cow, a man and dog, with a landscape background. It was painted and signed by William Smith of Chichester in 1856. An inscription on the back reads: 'The Champion Shorthorn // 1st Prize winner at Chichester // cattle show 1856 // Wm. Smith of Chichester'. It is one of a collection of paintings and prints thought to date from the last quarter of the 18th century to c.1860.
Physical description
1 painting: gilt frame with perspexInscription on back (now hidden by hardboard ) reads; The Champion Shorthorn, 1st Prize winner at Chichester cattle show 1856.
Label Text
Cow painting. This oil painting from 1856 depicts a farmer, his dog and a shorthorn cow. The inscription on the back of the painting indicated the cow won 1st prize at the Chichester Cattle Show of the same year. Images like this were used as a marker of status or social standing. It was painted by William Smith of Chichester. 1.'Champion Shorthorn', an oil painting by William Smith, dated 1856. The proud owner and farmer has been included in the picture also. An inscription on the back of the painting states that this animal won the First Prize at Chichester Cattle Show in 1856. Acc No 64/40.
Archival history
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'OIL PAINTING // Description // THE CHAMPION SHORTHORN // Painted and signed by William Smith 1856 // Oil on canvas // Inscription on back: The Champion Shorthorn // 1st Prize winner at Chichester // cattle show 1856 // Wm. Smith of Chichester // Dimensions // Gilt frame [no glass] // 30 in x 25 in. // Associated information // P.D. Carter's No. 87', MERL miscellaneous note [The Royal Smithfield Club] – ‘A letter was received from the Museum in which it was stated that they had been given an opportunity to purchase a collection of paintings and prints of Farm Livestock executed during the period from the last quarter of the 18th century to about 1860. These include animals which had won prizes at the Smithfield Shows of 1834 and 1851… At the request of the Council, Mr. W. J. Cumber and Mr. P. M. Colebrook inspected the paintings and prints, and they were unanimous in recommending that the Club should purchase the prints and present them to the Museum… The Museum have agreed that the collection shall be recorded as The Royal Smithfield Club Collection.’
Production place
Chichester
Production date
1856 - 1856
Object name
Material
Associated subject
