The Grey Horse – Lead Huntsman with Hounds, Sussex Hunting Scene 🏇

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Subject & Medium 🎨

An accomplished oil on panel depicting a traditional English fox-hunting scene, centred on a mounted huntsman in scarlet coat riding a grey horse, leading a disciplined pack of foxhounds across gently undulating countryside.

The subject captures one of the most enduring images of British sporting culture—the huntsman guiding hounds “in cry,” symbolising authority, fieldcraft, and the deep relationship between rider, horse, and pack.

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Composition & Technique 🖌️

The composition centres on the decisive “gone away” moment, when the fox has broken cover and the hunt moves into full motion.

Millais demonstrates a confident, experience-led technique:

• The sky is rendered with loose, fluid brushwork, creating atmosphere and movement
• The grey horse is anatomically precise, reflecting first-hand equestrian knowledge
• The hounds are painted as a cohesive working unit, emphasising discipline and purpose

The palette is both restrained and effective:

• Scarlet red acts as a visual anchor
• Earth greens and ochres define the landscape
• Cool greys unify the composition

This synthesis of observation and painterly economy reflects Millais’ commitment to traditional sporting art, rooted in lived experience rather than studio invention.

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About the Artist 👨🎨

Hesketh Raoul Lejarderay Millais (1901–1999) was a leading British sporting painter, born in Horsham, Sussex. He was the grandson of the Pre-Raphaelite master Sir John Everett Millais and inherited both artistic skill and a deep affinity for the natural world.

Unlike many sporting artists, Millais lived the life he depicted:

• He hunted regularly
• Maintained horses as part of his professional practice
• Painted directly from experience in the field

His works have been sold through major auction houses including Christie’s and Bonhams and are valued for their authenticity, vitality, and technical assurance.

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About the Hunt 🐎

The landscape and composition closely evoke the hunting country of Sussex, particularly that associated with the Crawley & Horsham Hunt, a historic foxhound pack covering approximately 23 by 20 miles of rolling countryside.

This region is traditionally described as “hound country,” characterised by:

• Undulating pasture
• Woodland coverts
• Varied terrain requiring skilled hound work

These characteristics are clearly reflected in the painting:

• The hounds move in a tight, purposeful formation
• The huntsman leads with measured control rather than speed alone
• The terrain supports working movement across varied ground

Rather than depicting a specific meet, the work captures the essence of Sussex hunting tradition, grounded in authenticity and experience.

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Historical Context 📜

Fox hunting formed a defining element of British rural life from the 18th through the 20th century, representing land stewardship, social identity, and horsemanship.

In Sussex, organised hunting traditions can be traced back to at least the 17th century, evolving into established packs such as the Crawley & Horsham Hunt.

By the late 20th century, such scenes already carried a strong sense of heritage and continuity. Millais’ works serve not only as paintings but as visual records of a traditional countryside culture that has since undergone significant change.

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Signed ✍️

Signed by the artist in the lower corner, consistent in placement and execution with works by Raoul Millais.

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Framed 🖼️

Recently professionally presented in a high-quality Larson-Juhl gilt moulded frame, a respected name in fine art framing, selected to complement the classical sporting subject and enhance its presence within both traditional and contemporary interiors.

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Size 📏

• Height: 48 cm
• Width: 56 cm
• Depth: 4 cm

A refined cabinet-scale format, offering versatility for both collectors and interior designers.

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Provenance 📚

• Arthur Greatorex Ltd, Grafton Street, Mayfair, London
• Private UK Collection
• Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

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Why You’ll Love It ❤️

✅ A quintessential and highly collectible English fox-hunting scene
✅ By a recognized 20th-century sporting artist of distinguished Pre-Raphaelite lineage
✅ Rooted in the Sussex hunting tradition
✅ Captures the dynamic and evocative “gone away” moment of the hunt
✅ Combines strong decorative appeal.
✅ Elegant cabinet size ideal for refined interiors
✅ Professionally framed and ready for immediate display
✅ Highly appealing to American sporting, equestrian, and country house collectors

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Condition Report 🔍

The painting is presented in good overall condition. The surface shows minor foxing and light craquelure consistent with age and medium. The paint layer remains stable and visually strong.

The frame is recently fitted and in excellent condition, with minor imperfections consistent with high-quality handcrafted finishing.