'A Kill at Ashdown Park', James Seymour

Artwork details

Artist

James Seymour (?1702‑1752)

Title

A Kill at Ashdown Park

Date 1743

MediumOil paint on canvas

Dimensionssupport: 1803 x 2388 mm frame: 2030 x 2618 x 80 mm

Collection

Tate

Acquisition Purchased with assistance from the Friends of the Tate Gallery and subscribers 1969

Reference

T01115

Not on display

Summary

The principal figure, in tricorne hat and seen in profile on his dark grey hunter, is Fulwar, 4th Baron Craven of Hamstead Marshall, Berkshire. He is represented here with his huntsmen and hounds at the conclusion of a hunt on the Berkshire Downs near his home at Ashdown Park. Born between 1700 and 1704, Fulwar would have been about forty years old in this painting. He was the younger son of William, 2nd Baron Craven, and succeeded his brother in 1739. He died unmarried at Benham Valence, Buckinghamshire, on 10 November 1764.

Ashdown House is clearly visible in the background on the left of the picture. It was built c.1665, by an unidentified architect (possibly William Winde), as a hunting-lodge for William, 1st Baron Craven. Seymour's viewpoint is from the south-east, on Kingstone Downs, looking towards the back of Ashdown House. The two hills on the right of the picture are probably Weathercock Hill and (further from the spectator) Crowberry Tump… (read more)