"Rake" by Thomas Stringer (1722-1790)

Rare and Engaging Naïve Dog Portrait
Depicting a Red Setting Hound within a Stylised Landscape
Oils on Canvas, The Collar Inscribed; "H. Streatfeild Esq. Chiddingstone Kent"
English, Inscribed, "Rake, painted on 12 Augt 1770 by T. Stringer"

32.5" high x 44.5" wide (framed)

Ref: 9375

Provenance: English Private Collection, The Library of the late Martin Woolf Orskey

Thomas Stringer lived and worked in the small market town of Knutsford, within close proximity to several prominent families, including the Brookes of Mere, the Herons of Daresbury and Moor Hall, and John Smith-Barry of Marbury Hall—all of whom commissioned sporting portraits from him.

As a young man, Stringer displayed a natural talent for painting animals. However, his early career began in service to Peter Legh of Booths Hall, Knutsford (1724–1804), a member of an old Cheshire gentry family that owned multiple estates. His relationship with Legh proved difficult, and after a dispute, Stringer left his position to pursue painting full-time.

Despite a relatively brief career spanning about twenty years, Stringer was highly productive. By the late 20th century, however, his work had faded into obscurity, often misattributed to Francis Sartorius due to their similar monograms. Recent research has since clarified his career and that of his artistically inclined family members, establishing that Stringer was a more refined and sophisticated painter than Sartorius. His work also reflects an awareness of the renowned equine artist George Stubbs.

Stringer’s style is distinctive, with readily recognizable techniques. One of his more charming and unconventional traits is depicting elements of his compositions partially obscuring others. Signature stylistic features include casually crossed legs in his sitters and inscribed tablets or rocks identifying both the subject and horse.

Single dog portraits of this scale are significant in the British Tradition and this is a fine documentary example, benefitting from the exceptional inscription to the collar, lending it provenance to the Streatfeild Family of Chiddingstone in Kent. An engaging and significant early work.