George Stubbs Giclée Fine Art Prints 4 of 5

George Stubbs (1724-1806) was an English painter, best known for his exceptional depictions of horses and other animals. His work is highly regarded for its accuracy, attention to detail, and the unique way he captured the anatomy and spirit of his subjects.

George Stubbs was born on August 25, 1724, in Liverpool, England. His father, John Stubbs, was a leatherworker and currier. George showed an early interest in art and began his artistic training under the guidance of a local painter named Hamlet Winstanley. However, Stubbs found Winstanley's teaching methods too restrictive and decided to pursue his artistic education independently.

Stubbs developed a keen interest in anatomy, which would later become a defining aspect of his work. He spent several years studying anatomy at York County Hospital, where he gained valuable knowledge and experience in dissection. In 1751, he moved to a remote farmhouse in Lincolnshire, where he spent 18 months dissecting and studying the anatomy of horses. This intense study culminated in the creation of his groundbreaking book, "The Anatomy of the Horse," published in 1766.

Stubbs' reputation as a skilled animal painter grew, and he began receiving commissions from prominent patrons, including the Duke of Richmond and the Marquess of Rockingham. He moved to London in the early 1760s, where he continued to focus on painting horses and other animals, often set against idyllic landscapes.

His most famous work, "Whistlejacket" (1762), is a life-size portrait of a racehorse, which showcases his mastery of equine anatomy and his ability to capture the animal's spirit. Other notable works include "Mares and Foals in a River Landscape" (1763-1768) and "Horse Attacked by a Lion" (1769).

In the later years of his career, Stubbs expanded his subject matter to include more exotic animals, such as lions, tigers, and monkeys, as well as human subjects. He continued to paint until his death on July 10, 1806, in London.

George Stubbs' work has had a lasting impact on the world of art, particularly in the field of animal painting. His meticulous attention to detail, combined with his deep understanding of anatomy, set a new standard for the genre and influenced generations of artists that followed. Today, his paintings can be found in major art galleries and museums around the world, including the Tate Gallery in London and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.