Heaton Park Races
1829
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
overall: 92 x 152.6 cm (36 1/4 x 60 1/16 in.) framed: 110.5 x 170.8 x 8.2 cm (43 1/2 x 67 1/4 x 3 1/4 in.)
Classification
Painting
Department
CAB
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Collection
Accession Number
1970.17.110
Art Historical Context
John Ferneley’s *Heaton Park Races* (182) captures the thrill of a British horse race at Heaton Park, near Manchester, during the early 19th century. a leading sporting artist of his time, Ferneley in vivid depictions of equestrian events, blending meticulous detail with dynamic energy. This large oil on canvas (92 x .6 cm) showcases his mastery in portraying galloping horses, jockeys mid-race, and bustling crowds, evoking the excitement of one of England’s popular social spectacles. Painted in the Romantic era, when horse racing symbolized aristocratic leisure and national pride, the work re...