Hunter Mare of the Chiddingfold, 1920s, Chalk and Canvas, Framed

Murray McNeel Caird Urquhart (1880–1972) Kitty – Hunter Mare of the Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray Hunt Stables Oil on canvas painting, signed & dated 1928 An exceptionally rare equestrian portrait by Scottish painter Murray Urquhart, depicting Kitty, a bay hunter mare of the celebrated Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray Hunt in West Sussex. Painted circa 1928, the work captures both the physical grace of the animal and the prestige of English country sport between the wars. Urquhart renders Kitty in three-quarter stance within a rustic stable, her rich brown coat illuminated by the artist’s layered glazes. The mare’s musculature, proud head carriage, and deep girth reflect stamina and courage — hallmarks of the field hunter. The subdued palette of ochres, siennas, and cool greys evokes the earthy authenticity of the stable, while crisp highlights in the girth, saddle leather, and glinting eye bring the composition to life. About the Hunt The Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray country, stretching across chalk downs and wooded coombes of West Sussex, demanded hunters of courage and athleticism. Kitty, painted here in her prime, exemplified the type. By repute, this portrait was commissioned to honour her service, a tradition among English sporting families who viewed such works as lasting tributes to their most trusted companions in the field. The Artist Educated in Edinburgh, London, and Paris at the Académie Julian, Murray Urquhart exhibited widely, including at the Royal Academy, the New English Art Club, and the Paris Salon. His works are admired for their balance of British naturalism and French impressionistic light. Equestrian portraits by Urquhart are notably scarce; his broader oeuvre of landscapes and figure studies continues to command strong interest at auction, with examples achieving up to US $13,000. Signature & Inscriptions Lower left: Murray Urquhart (signed & dated 1928) Upper right: KITTY (inscribed) Frame & Dimensions Presented in its original 1920s beechwood frame with warm brown stain and pleasing patina. Framed size: 57 cm (W) × 49 cm (H) × 2 cm (D). Provenance Private equestrian collection, Chichester (by repute connected with the CL&C Hunt stables) Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD Exhibited: Famous Lord Hill Museum Condition Report Original canvas, stable and well-tensioned Paint surface: very good, with minor age-related craquelure only Signature, date, and inscription: clear and legible Frame: light abrasions and minor losses; structurally sound Overall: fine, ready to hang Collector Appeal A rare signed and dated equestrian portrait by a respected Scottish painter Direct link to the storied Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray Hunt, central to English sporting heritage Excellent provenance with museum exhibition history Retains its original period frame Ideal for collectors of equestrian, sporting, or British country house art Shipping & Handling Professional, worldwide shipping with full insurance. Carefully packed for safe international transport. Acquisition This is a significant opportunity to acquire a rare equestrian portrait of impeccable provenance, linking British sporting tradition with early 20th-century academic and Parisian-trained artistry.