In the realm of fine art, some treasures lie hidden for generations, waiting for their moment in the spotlight. One such masterpiece, George Stubbs’s The Spanish Pointer, is about to emerge from obscurity and send shockwaves through the auction world. This rare 18th-century painting, unseen by the public eye since 1972, is expected to fetch a staggering £2 million at Sotheby’s upcoming sale.
The Allure of a Stubbs Masterpiece
George Stubbs, the Liverpool-born artist renowned for his exquisite animal paintings, produced fewer than 400 works in his lifetime. Among these, The Spanish Pointer stands out as a rare gem, believed to be the earliest dog painting in Stubbs’s oeuvre. Crafted between 1766 and 1768, during the artist’s most prolific and celebrated period, this masterpiece showcases Stubbs’s unparalleled skill in capturing the essence of his subject.
The painting’s scarcity is matched only by its quality. According to Julian Gascoigne, a senior director and British paintings specialist at Sotheby’s, The Spanish Pointer is in “fantastic” condition, a testament to Stubbs’s technical mastery during the peak of his career. Unlike many of his later works, which experimented with unconventional materials and techniques, this painting exemplifies the artist’s solid use of paint, allowing it to stand the test of time.
A Testament to a Bygone Era
The Spanish Pointer’s emergence coincides with a fascinating chapter in British history. The 18th century saw a surge in the popularity of field sports, particularly shooting, among the wealthy elite. This cultural shift elevated the status of dogs, making them prized companions and subjects for artistic representation. Stubbs’s masterpiece encapsulates this zeitgeist, immortalizing the grace and nobility of the Spanish Pointer breed.
The rise in field sports during the 18th century, driven by the passions of the aristocracy, created a newfound appreciation for the beauty and skill of hunting dogs. Stubbs’s The Spanish Pointer is a testament to this golden age of animal art.
– Art historian and Stubbs expert, Dr. Elizabeth Einberg
An Elusive Masterpiece
The Spanish Pointer’s journey through history is as captivating as the painting itself. Since its creation, the work has only been exhibited once, at London’s National Gallery of Sports and Pastimes in 1948. Its last public appearance was at Sotheby’s in 1972, where it sold for £30,000 – a far cry from its current estimated value. Prior to that, the painting fetched a mere £11 at auction in 1802, just six years before Stubbs’s death.
The painting’s rarity and its remarkable condition have fueled anticipation among art enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. As the auction approaches, experts predict that The Spanish Pointer could surpass its £2 million estimate, setting a new record for a Stubbs work.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
For those eager to catch a glimpse of this elusive masterpiece before it potentially disappears into a private collection, Sotheby’s is offering a rare opportunity. The Spanish Pointer will be on display as part of the auction house’s upcoming exhibition of old master and 19th-century paintings, which runs from November 29 to December 4 in London.
As the art world holds its breath, one question remains: who will be the lucky bidder to secure this exceptional piece of British art history? With The Spanish Pointer poised to make headlines and shatter records, the stage is set for an unforgettable auction that will echo through the annals of art history.
