Large Oil Painting Royal Academy-Exhibited Fox Hunting Painting C.1880

Ware Hare Challenger” – Royal Academy-Exhibited Victorian Fox Hunting Masterpiece by James Albert Buchanan Jay, c.1880

Overview
A significant and highly detailed oil on canvas by the British sporting painter James Albert Buchanan Jay (1838–1888), titled Ware Hare Challenger, created circa 1880. Exhibited at the Royal Academy (Catalogue No. 292), this painting captures the peak drama of a Victorian fox hunt on the historic grounds of Norwood House, Beverley, Yorkshire.

This is a rare opportunity to acquire an exhibition-quality equestrian work by a Royal Academy-trained artist, presented in an elegant Larson-Juhl gold leaf frame and ready for refined display.

Subject & Composition
Ware Hare Challenger epitomises the tradition of 19th-century British sporting art. The scene unfolds with dynamic energy:

In the foreground, a huntsman clad in a vivid scarlet coat rides a powerful black horse, mid-strike with a Swaine Adeney riding whip.
To the right, a lively pack of hounds pours into the wooded edge—each dog carefully characterised, demonstrating Jay’s anatomical knowledge and narrative precision.
In the distance, fellow riders await at a gate, observing the lead rider’s charge into the forest. This layered composition draws the eye through field, wood, and sky, adding depth and anticipation.
The painting’s atmosphere is further enriched by a sky rendered in soft greys and blues, evoking mist or dusk light. The contrast between bright hunting attire and the darkening woodland creates drama and visual tension.

Jay’s handling of paint is confident and nuanced: expressive, textured strokes for landscape and foliage; controlled precision for figures, horses, and hounds. The earthy palette—greens, browns, slate blues—anchors the scene in reality, while the bold red of the lead rider adds a compelling focal point.

Artist Background
James Albert Buchanan Jay was a gifted British painter specialising in equestrian and rural landscapes. Born in Herefordshire and educated at the Royal Academy Schools, he exhibited at the Royal Academy (1878, 1880), Walker Art Gallery, and other venues. His deep familiarity with country sports, combined with academic training, enabled him to capture the vitality and tradition of the British countryside with rare authenticity.

His works are prized for their detail, dynamism, and historical value. This particular example is arguably among his finest known surviving paintings.

Signature
Signed lower right by the artist.

Framing
Recently presented in a high-quality Larson-Juhl gold leaf scoop profile frame. Professionally fitted and ready to hang.

Framed Dimensions:

Width: 123.8 cm
Height: 91.3 cm
Depth: 4.5 cm
Provenance
Exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1880 (Catalogue No. 292), Norwood House, Beverley
Private Collection
Notable southern shire auction house
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Displayed at a regional museum in the Midlands
Condition
The canvas has been relined and the work is structurally sound. The paint surface is well-preserved with minor wear consistent with age, including craquelure, light foxing, and isolated areas of loss. Overall, the piece presents beautifully and is stable for display to museum standards.

Why Acquire This Painting
Rare Royal Academy-exhibited example of Victorian sporting art
Authentic and dynamic depiction of the traditional English fox hunt
Painted by a respected equestrian artist with impeccable credentials
Historical setting: Norwood House, Beverley—a Grade I listed estate
Presented in an elegant, gallery-quality frame
Ideal for collectors of British country house art, sporting scenes, or narrative landscapes
A powerful addition to refined interiors, libraries, or curated galleries
Certificate of Authenticity
A certificate verifying the title, artist, date, provenance, and exhibition history will be issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.

Shipping
Worldwide delivery available. Professionally packed and fully insured for safe transport.

Enquiries
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