Peter Upton The Arab Horse: an equine work of art 16 – 26 September 2014
1. Front cover: Galloping Mares, oil on canvas, signed, 36 x 48 inches (91.5 x 122 cm)
Peter Upton The Arab Horse: an equine work of art 16 – 26 September 2014
Mathaf Gallery 57 Jermyn Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 6LX T: + 44 (0)20 7584 2396 M: + 44 (0)7785 250953 E:art@mathafgallery.com www.mathafgallery.com
I am honoured to be a part of this latest exhibition of Peter Upton’s, even in so small a way as writing this brief introduction. The title of this exhibition speaks for itself, and indeed anyone acquainted with Peter will attest to his enthusiasm for and detailed knowledge of the arab horse and all things associated with it, from history of the desert tribes to the lives of individual horses bred in far flung corners of the world to modern day horses and the eclectic mixture of human characters involved with them, in equally diverse and fascinating ways. Peter’s ubiquitous sketch books are filled with images of these characters, both equine and human, as well as amazing landscapes, historic buildings and anything else which may have caught his eye at any given moment. This exhibition, his latest of many, is the outcome of some of the horse sketches he has made over the years. The pictures each convey the individual character of the subject as well as its outward appearance, and this is what renders Peter’s works so precious: they express the essence of each of his subjects. HRH Princess Alia al Hussein
2. A Chestnut Colt and Groom oil on canvas, signed, 24 x 20 inches (61 x 51 cm) “This Chestnut eventually became a national champion and was exported to the USA�
3. White Mare and Foal, oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm) “The Mare turns to call her Colt foal who comes trotting�
4. A Mare and her Daughter oil on canvas, signed, 18 x 24 inches (45.5 x 61 cm)
5. A Mare and her Son oil on canvas, signed, 18 x 24 inches (45.5 x 61 cm)
“Although the Mare is a Chestnut, it is clear that her little daughter will eventually turn Grey”
“A rich Chestnut Mare, having a chat to her son – probably offering advice!”
6. A Bay, Chestnut and a Grey, oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 30 inches (51 x 76 cm) “on their way back to the tents”
7. Trotting Mares and Foals, oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 30 inches (51 x 76 cm) “Three brood Mares and their well-grown foals. One is a Colt with his tail up!�
8. The Fleabitten Grey Mare, oil on canvas, signed, 24 x 30 inches (61 x 76 cm) “A favourite coat colour and found a lot in the Arab breed. A wonderful Mare, full of feminine type and good conformation�
9. Halima and Haboub, oil on canvas, signed, 36 x 48 inches (91.5 x 122 cm) “Large painting of a Bay Um Argub, and a dark Grey Kehilet Ajuz trotting out through the sand. Both great movers�
10. Three Sheykhs, oil on canvas, signed, 24 x 30 inches (61 x 76 cm)
“Each rides his own war Mare”
11. The Falconers oil on canvas, signed, 24 x 20 inches (61 x 51 cm)
12. Saker Falcons oil on canvas, signed, 30 x 24 inches (76 x 61 cm)
“This picture includes two Bedouin and four falcons, some still being tied to their wokars, one bird is hidden by the near man stooping down to tie his falcon to its block. Its shadow can be seen to the left of the Bedouin”
“Two saker falcons at rest before an afternoon hunting houbara in the desert”
13. Bedouin Riders, oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 30 inches (51 x 76 cm)
“Attar, Hassan and four others on their Mares�
14. Saluki, oil on card, signed, 12 x 161/2 inches (30.5 x 42 cm)
15. The led Mare, oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
“A study of a Saluki in the desert from whence he came – all elegance and speed”
“A Bedouin on his camel, with his war Mare being led, which was how they travelled when on long journeys”
16. Four Greys and a Chestnut, Egypt, oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 30 inches (51 x 76 cm)
“This painting is based on sketches done at the Egyptian State Stud (EAO). The Mares spend the day out in sand paddocks, with feeding troughs, as in the foreground�
17. Eleven Mares in the Dust, oil on canvas, signed, 24 x 30 inches (61 x 76 cm)
“The three leaders, a Grey, a Chestnut and a liver Chestnut are followed through the rising dust by eight more Mares�
18. The Bay Stallion, oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
“A Kehilan Ajuz and rather full of himself”
19. Sunlight Patterns: two Mares, oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 30 inches (51 x 76 cm)
“A scene of sunlight and cast shadows under some tress, from a sketch done at a Spanish Arab Stud�
20. Two Foals, oil on board, signed, 10 x 12 inches (25.5 x 30.5 cm)
21. Two Sisters, oil on board, signed, 81/2 x 11 inches (21.5 x 28 cm)
“Actually twins, born to Fana, a 21 year old Mare�
22. Raissa – a Bay Mare, with two Grooms, oil on canvas, signed, 153/4 x 20 inches (40 x 51 cm)
23. A Chestnut Stallion, oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
“A portrait based on a young Stallion I used to ride�
24. A Chestnut and a Grey Mare, oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
“Anber and Amal – friends”
25. A Chestnut and a Grey under some Palms, oil on canvas, signed, 18 x 24 inches (45.5 x 61 cm)
26. A Grey Egyptian – head study with a Groom oil on canvas, signed, 141/2 x 18 inches (37 x 45.5 cm)
27. A Chestnut Mare – head study oil on canvas, signed, 10 x 12 inches (25.5 x 30.5 cm)
28. The lone Camel Rider, oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 30 inches (51 x 76 cm)
29. In the shade, oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
30. Mares and Bedouin in a Wadi, oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 30 inches (51 x 76 cm)
31. A Four year old Grey Stallion oil on canvas, signed, 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
32. Three Grey Mares oil on canvas, signed, 18 x 24 inches (45.5 x 61 cm)
“Still quite dark in his coat, with some dapples and dark legs, but quite old enough to show off as he trots around his yard”
“Three Mares all of Egyptian bloodlines. The group by the manger includes two older mares and a two year old filly going through the pink (mahwardi) stage”
The Sladmore Gallery, who are kindly providing the venue for this exhibition, will be displaying a selection of bronze sculpture related to the Arab world Barye’s Turkish horse will be included along with a collection of other fine bronzes by this sculptor who was a close friend and collaborator of Delacroix.
This Goshawk cast in a limited edition in bronze of just twelve examples is by Nick Bibby one of our stable of leading contemporary sculptors whose work is represented and shown at our sister gallery Sladmore Contemporary in Bruton Place.
Turkish Horse, c. 1857 by Antoine-Louis Barye (French, 1796-1875) Height: 13" (34cm), Length: 7" (18cm)
Goshawk by Nick Bibby (English, Contemporary) Height: 15” (38cm), Length: 17” (43cm)
19th and 20th Century Sculpture 57 Jermyn Street, St James’s, London, SW1Y 6LX Tel +44 (0) 207 629 1144 Fax + 44 (0) 207 495 3668 Email admin@sladmore.com The Gallery is open 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday 11am to 5pm Saturday during this exhibition, or by appointment.
“I was greatly affected by the painting of Peter Upton. Somehow, all these years later, I realise how much I have missed along the way. I am grateful to get it. The way in which Peter captures the light and the living brilliance of natural colour, while respecting and honouring the authenticity of the Arabian Horse, so that the horse does not become a caricature... his art is extraordinary and I really love it.” RALPH SUAREZ (USA)
“I love the superb work of Peter Upton... probably the best living painter of Arabians.” ARABIAN LINES FORUM
33. Back cover: Good Morning, oil on canvas, signed, 16 x 20 inches (40 x 51 cm)
Peter Upton
Mathaf Gallery
The Arab Horse: an equine work of art