John Frederick Herring

Mazeppa Pursued by Wolves (after Horace Vernet)

1833

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In Tate Britain

Walk Through British Art: 1810

Free entry

Artist: John Frederick Herring 1795–1865
Medium: Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions: Support: 559 × 762 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Presented by the Art Fund 1958
Reference: T00188

Display caption

Ivan Stepanovych Mazepa (1639-1709) was a Ukrainian military leader, known for his stand against the Russian empire. His story captured the imagination of many writers and artists in the nineteenth century. This painting is inspired by Byron’s epic poem Mazeppa. It recounts the legend of the young man’s journey through the wilderness, strapped naked to an untamed horse as punishment for an affair. Herring was perhaps drawn to the subject as he specialised in animal painting. It is a close copy of French artist Horace Vernet’s popular representation of the wolf chase.

Gallery label, October 2020

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