Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954) – Spion Kop Winner of the 1920 Epsom Derby Oil Painting

Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954) – Spion Kop, Winner of the 1920 Epsom Derby

An important early 20th-century British sporting oil painting by the accomplished English equestrian artist Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954), depicting the celebrated chestnut racehorse Spion Kop (1917–1941), winner of the 1920 Epsom Derby.

Signed and dated 1920, the painting was executed during the very year of Spion Kop’s historic Derby victory and presents the champion racehorse standing proudly within a traditional stable-yard setting.

Spion Kop is depicted in profile, positioned slightly left of centre with his head turned attentively towards the viewer. His alert ears, bright expressive eyes and powerful stance convey both the athletic conformation and individual character of a thoroughbred racehorse at the height of his fame.

Clark renders the horse’s rich chestnut coat through carefully blended warm browns, siennas and reddish tones, with controlled highlights across the shoulder, flank and hindquarters creating convincing volume and the characteristic sheen of a well-conditioned racehorse. Finer brushwork defines the head, mane, facial features and musculature.

The surrounding stable-yard setting is handled with a comparatively loose and atmospheric touch. To the left, a stable door stands partially open with a folded blanket draped across it, while behind the horse rises a substantial wall surmounted by a stone sphere. Glimpses of foliage and a softly painted summer sky complete the background.

The compacted ground is constructed from earthy ochres and browns applied with broken brushwork, while the horse’s softly cast shadow anchors him convincingly within the composition. The restrained architectural background and cooler greys, creams and muted greens provide an effective counterpoint to the warmth and vibrancy of Spion Kop’s chestnut colouring.

The resulting composition combines traditional British sporting portraiture with an important historical racing subject. Rather than portraying Spion Kop amid the excitement of competition, Clark presents the Derby champion in dignified repose, concentrating attention upon his conformation, temperament and presence.

Spion Kop (1917–1941) was bred and owned by Major Giles Loder and trained by Peter Gilpin. On 2 June 1920, he won the 141st running of the Epsom Derby under the American jockey Frank O’Neill.

Spion Kop came from behind to defeat Archaic and Orpheus, completing the race in approximately 2 minutes 34.8 seconds, an exceptionally fast Derby time for the period. His victory established his place within the history of British flat racing, and he subsequently retired to stud.

The fact that Clark’s portrait is both signed and dated 1920 gives the painting particular historical resonance, placing its creation within the immediate context of the horse’s celebrated Derby-winning season.

Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954) belonged to the distinguished Clark family of British animal and sporting painters. Born in Islington, London, he was the son of equestrian painter Albert Clark (1843–1928) and grandson of James Clark (1812–1909). His brother William Albert Clark (1880–1963) also continued the family’s artistic tradition.

Frederick Albert Clark established himself as a specialist painter of horses and dogs, producing commissioned animal portraits characterised by careful draughtsmanship, close anatomical observation and an ability to convey the individual character of his subjects.

The present work exemplifies these qualities particularly well. Spion Kop is presented not merely as a generic sporting horse but as an identifiable champion thoroughbred, combining faithful equestrian portraiture with the commemorative qualities expected of an important racing portrait.

The painting retains particularly interesting historic information to the reverse. An old paper label identifies the artist, subject and Derby victory, while a further inscription also records Spion Kop as winner of the 1920 Derby Stakes and names jockey Frank O’Neill.

The painting was subsequently offered through Sworders, the established British auction house known for handling fine art, antiques and sporting works, before being acquired and curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Presented within its original gilt-wood frame with classical moulded decoration, this substantial sporting portrait has considerable decorative presence and historical interest, particularly for collectors of British equestrian art, horse racing memorabilia, Derby history and traditional country house interiors.

Artist: Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954)
Subject: Spion Kop (1917–1941), Winner of the 1920 Epsom Derby
Date: 1920
Origin: England
Medium: Oil on canvas
Period: Early 20th century
Subject Category: British sporting / equestrian art
Signature: Signed and dated lower right in red, “Frederick Albert Clark 1920”
Frame: Original gilt-wood frame with classical moulded decoration

Dimensions

Overall framed: approximately 63.5 cm high × 72 cm wide × 3.75 cm deep
(25 × 28.35 × 1.48 inches)

Provenance

Historic paper label verso identifying Frederick Albert Clark – Spion Kop, Winner of the Derby Stakes 1920 – Oil on canvas – signed and dated.

Further historic inscription verso referring to Spion Kop, Winner of the 1920 Derby Stakes, ridden by F. O’Neill.

Previously offered through Sworders, England.

Subsequently acquired and curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Condition

Presented in fine antique condition commensurate with its age of more than 100 years.

The canvas has previously been relined, providing additional structural support and stability. The painted surface displays naturally developed age-related craquelure together with areas of foxing, accumulated surface dust and minor paint loss consistent with the age and history of the work.

The colours remain attractive, with the warm chestnut tones of the horse retaining considerable richness and visual presence against the more restrained stable-yard background.

The original gilt-wood frame displays expected age-related wear, including rubbing, scuffs and small chips to the gilded and moulded surfaces.

The painting remains stable and is fitted with hanging wire, ready for display.

Please examine the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition report.

Worldwide Shipping

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Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.

Attribution and Research

The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.

These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.

Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.

Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.