Latest news with #TheAnatomyoftheHorse
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Commemorative George Stubbs horse sculptures to be auctioned
Eight horse sculptures, created for George Stubbs' 300th birthday celebrations last year, are set to be auctioned this week. The sculptures, half of which are life-size, were part of a Stubbs Trail around North Lincolnshire - the area where Stubbs conducted his anatomical studies, which, according to a spokesperson, "would revolutionise the way the horse was depicted in art - some of the most gruesome work ever undertaken by an English artist." Stubbs, an 18th-century equestrian artist, began to acquire his dissecting skills in Liverpool while working with his father, who was a currier (a specialist leather-worker). He further developed these skills at the County Hospital in York, where he studied anatomy, dissecting and drawing human cadavers. In 1756, Stubbs moved to a farmhouse near Horkstow, where he spent 18 months dissecting horse bodies, drawing and recording his findings. This gruesome work led to a new understanding of horse anatomy, resulting in some of the most accurate horse pictures ever painted. His knowledge was shared in his book, The Anatomy of the Horse, which was published in 1766. As part of the Stubbs tercentenary celebrations, North Lincolnshire Council commissioned 20 horse sculptures - ten life-size and ten smaller versions - to create a Stubbs Trail around sites connected to the artist. Each sculpture is unique, created by a contemporary artist in collaboration with a local school or community group. The groups were given the choice of keeping their horse or having it sold for charity when the Stubbs celebration ended. The four life-size horses going under the hammer include Skyscraper, the first sculpture on the Stubbs Trail, which was sited at Baysgarth Park in Barton on Humber. Standing 15 hands high, Skyscraper was the work of Hull artist Caitlin Smith, assisted by local primary schoolchildren. The auction also includes Spirit, the work of the Sussex-based equestrian artist Jane Johansson and the Scunthorpe Museum Society Art Group. The largest of the sculptures to be auctioned is George - the work of Gillian Higgins, an expert in equine anatomy. George stands 83 inches tall. Auctioneer Paul Potter said: "The horses are jaw-droppingly impressive sculptures that have fascinated thousands of people who enjoyed the Stubbs Trail during the 300th anniversary celebrations, and they're still impressing here at the saleroom in Messingham. "The looks on the faces of visitors when they find themselves meeting a life-size horse in reception or around the corner amid the china cabinets have been absolutely priceless." The sale catalogue is available to view at The viewing session is at The Old School Saleroom in Messingham on Wednesday, April 23, from 10am to 4pm. The auction gets underway at 10.30am on Thursday, April 24.
BBC News
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Horse sculptures from George Stubbs trail to be auctioned
Horse sculptures created to celebrate the world-renowned artist George Stubbs are to be auctioned to raise money for life-size statues were created for a trail in Scunthorpe and the surrounding area called Horsing Around, which marked the 300th birthday of the painter and his connection to Horkstow, where he lived. The trail was created by North Lincolnshire Council and the designs involved contributions from schoolchildren and community of the sculptures are due to be auctioned by Potters Auction Saleroom, of Messingham, on 24 and 25 April. Mr Stubbs is considered one of the country's most revered equestrian painters. He completed much of the work for his ground-breaking book, The Anatomy of the Horse, while living in Horkstow Liverpool-born artist also undertook dissections and illustrated many horse carcasses in the proceeds from the online auction will be donated to the Mayor of North Lincolnshire's chosen charity, the Health Tree Foundation, which supports the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation John Davison said: "These sculptures not only capture the spirit of our local heritage, but also offer a unique opportunity for residents and art-lovers to own a piece of history."The sculptures will be available to view in person at Potters Auction Saleroom ahead of the live auction. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
