The Horse Fair in the Grassmarket, James Howe

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

20728

Title

The Horse Fair in the Grassmarket, James Howe

Description

A vibrant and lively painting of a horse fair in the Grass Market, Edinburgh. The Horse Fair in the Grassmarket took place in November and here the artist animates it with vibrant light, vitality and movement in a market place seething with horses and farmers. The sign for the Carrier from his native village, Skirling, being put up over the White Hart Tavern, adds humorous detail.

Artist / maker

Howe, James

Size

91.5 x 114.3 cm

Type

Oil painting

Location

City Art Centre

Accession number

CAC6/1980

Originating from a small village in Peeblesshire, called Skirling, the artist travelled to the city in search of his vocation, becoming apprenticed to a firm of coach painters and later house painters to learn a trade. Having been recognised as a skilful draughtsman and painter of horses, the artist was commissioned to paint the horses in the King's stables in London, as successor to George Stubbs. On seeing his fellow Scotsman Wilkie's representation of local fairs, Howe adopted the subject for painting horses and livestock. This painting was in his studio when he died, so it may not have been finished to the artist's satisfaction.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Animals > Mammals > Horses

Clothing and dress > Garments > Coats

Clothing and dress > Garments > Jacket

Clothing and dress > Garments > Trousers

People > Adults > Crowds

People > Adults > Men

Places > Edinburgh areas > Grassmarket

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Edinburgh Castle

(55°56′50″N, 3°11′47″W)

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