Stubbs gave animals “the beauty, strength, and dignity ordinarily reserved for the human figure” - Frick catalogue
This is a splendid portrait, which hung at the Walters in Baltimore for a special exhibit a few years ago. Seeing so many of his works all in one place was a treat. I was very pleased to be able to stand in front of it, gazing up at this wonderful painting, recognizable to most anyone who loves horses. It's size is almost overwhelming, even in the fairly large gallery where I saw it hanging. This was painted in 1762 when Stubbs was 38 and leaving the horse on the plain background a bold choice away from the more typical views including real estate dear to the patron. Actually Stubbs was great at that, too.
Whistlejacket was the grandson of the Godolphin Arabian through his top line and the Byerly Turk on the bottom. He had a fine racing career and no doubt, also in the breeding shed.
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