Henry Thomas Alken, Sr. (British, 1785-1851) “A pair of Fox Hunting Scenes”

Watercolor on paper

9 x 12 ¾ inches (sight size)

17 ½ x 20 ¾ (framed)

Watercolor on paper

9 x 12 5/8 inches (sight size)

17 ½ x 20 5/8 inches (framed)

Retains Arthur Ackermann & Son label on versos:

For sporting or country life enthusiasts, few artists capture the thrill of fox hunting better than Henry Alken. His prints, watercolors and paintings chronicle a sport that dominated life among the landed English aristocracy and gentry in early nineteenth century England. Although born in London, Henry, like his sporting artist father Samuel Alken, was passionate about hunting and life in the country.

Henry Alken first trained with his father before studying with J. T. Barber. Under Barber’s tutelage Henry learned his meticulous technique which proved helpful when he turned to miniatures and later print-making. Young Alken exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1801 for the first time. In the early years of the nineteenth-century he signed his work as “Ben Tallyho” but by 1816 he was using his proper name.

Alken’s work is infused with energy, passion and a command of the anatomy of both horses and dogs. It comes as no surprise that his work continues to be widely collected by Sporting Art enthusiasts.