George Stubbs; The Great British Painter of Horses - New Show at National Gallery

Sometimes just three paintings are enough to command an entire gallery. Yesterday I was at the National Gallery, London for the press view of the new exhibition 'Stubbs: Portrait of a Horse' — a small but compelling exhibition centred on just three major works and a group of drawings by George Stubbs (1724-1806)

Intimate in scale yet remarkable in impact, the display allows visitors to focus closely on Stubbs’ extraordinary understanding of the horse — an animal he studied with almost scientific discipline, yet painted with profound elegance and presence.

In the photograph I am standing in front of 'Scrub, a Bay Horse belonging to the Marquess of Rockingham' (c.1762), a magnificent work currently on loan from a private collection. Seen in person, the painting reveals the subtle authority that defines Stubbs’ work: anatomical precision balanced with quiet nobility.

Stubbs elevated the horse beyond sporting imagery. His paintings are, in essence, portraits — studies of power, character and form.

It was also a pleasure to be reviewing the works with Tracy Jones, who heads Communications, Press and PR at the National Gallery. Congratulations to the National Gallery team for bringing together such a focused and beautifully presented exhibition.

Sometimes the most memorable exhibitions are not the largest — but the ones that allow us to look more closely. I feature the exhibition in The Art Review. Stubbs reminds us that great painting begins with observation — and ends with presence.

An enjoyable exhibition.

James Nicholls