Object number
64/47
Title
White Ox,
Collection
Creator
Description
This is a formal animal portrait of a 'White Ox', painted and signed by J. F. Wilson in 1810. 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: frame with glass
Label Text
White ox painting. This painting of an ox was donated to the Museum by the Royal Smithfield Club, and therefore likely depicts an animal which competed in one of their prime stock shows. The Club sought to promote the breeding of top quality livestock through these shows. Artists were commissioned to advertise the achievements of prize-winning farmers by portraying their livestock in a positive light. It was not unheard of for artists to over-accentuate the size and shape of the animals. Not all 19th century cows and oxen were as rectangular as these paintings suggest!
Archival history
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'OIL-PAINTING // Description // WHITE OX // Painted and signed by J. F. Wilson 1810 // Oil on canvas // Dimensions // Framed // 31.5 in x 24.5 in // Associated information // P.D. Carter's No. 98', 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 date
1810 - 1810
Object name
Material
Dimensions
- Height 65.6 cm
- Width 83.6 cm
Associated subject
