64/81

Durham Bull, Favorite,

Maria McKinney: Sire, Animals

B Taylor (Artist), J. C. Stadler (Engraver), Josh Bott (Publisher), B Taylor (Publisher)

This is a coloured aquatint print of an original drawing by B. Taylor c.1819. The engraving was by Stadler, and it was published by Josh. Bott of West Smithfield and B. Taylor of Golden Square, London. It is a formal animal portrait of a shorthorn bull, with a landscape in the background showing a bridge, Durham cathedral and woodland. It is one of a collection of paintings and prints thought to date from the last quarter of the 18th century to c.1860.

1 coloured aquatint print: brown and gilt frame with perspex

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'PRINT - Aquatint // Description // DURHAM BULL, FAVORITE // Coloured aquatint 23.8 x 17.8 in // c. 1918. // [Shorthorn] // Designer (drawn by) B. Taylor // Engr. Stadler, Aquatinted by Stadler // Published Jan 1st 1819 by Josh. Bott, No. 25 // Long Lane, West Smithfield + B. Taylor, No. 9. Warwick St., Golden Square, London. // Dimensions // Brown + gilt frame // 75.0cm wide x 66.0cm high // Associated information // On back of print 'Walker's Galleries' // Stadler was a leading aquatinter. // This portrait of the celebrated shorthorn Durham Bull, Favorite, is with permission respectfully dedicated to John Gill, Esqr. of Hotton Hill, Leicestershire by his most obedient Servant Joseph Bott. // Pedigree: bred by John Gill Esqr. of Hotton Hill, Leicestershire; got by Mr. Wilkinson's bull Favorite, bred by Mr. Weatherall from his noted bull, which was by Mr. Charges Old Grey bull, got by Mr. Charles Colling's favorite, sire of The Durham Ox, The White heifer, and of the celebrated bull Comet which was sold for 1000 guineas. He was billed on 12th November 1818 by order of Mr Maide, the last proprietor at the Bear and Ragged Staff, West Smithfield. // His dimensions: round the ankle, 10", from point to point of shoulder 4'8"; round his front 9'8", round his waist 10', and the length from nose to the end of the tail was 13'6". Weight: loose fat 25 1/2 stone, eight pounds to the stone. His fore quarters weighed 2018 lbs viz 252st 2lbs.', MERL miscellaneous note [The Royal Smithfield Club] – ‘A letter was received from the Museum in which it was stated that they had been given an opportunity to purchase a collection of paintings and prints of Farm Livestock executed during the period from the last quarter of the 18th century to about 1860. These include animals which had won prizes at the Smithfield Shows of 1834 and 1851… At the request of the Council, Mr. W. J. Cumber and Mr. P. M. Colebrook inspected the paintings and prints, and they were unanimous in recommending that the Club should purchase the prints and present them to the Museum… The Museum have agreed that the collection shall be recorded as The Royal Smithfield Club Collection.’

Golden Square [Westminster], West Smithfield [City of London], Golden Square [Westminster]

1819 - 1819