Thomas Blinks

(British, 1860-1912)

For'ard on, For'ard on

Footnotes

Provenance
Anon. sale, Christie's, London, 4 October 1973, lot 193.
Anon. sale, Christie's, London, 7 July 2016, lot 309.
Private collection, UK (acquired from the above sale).

Exhibited
London, Royal Academy, 1887, no. 204.

Literature
Art Journal, 1887, p. 247.

Regarded as one of the best sporting artists of his generation, Thomas Blinks was born in 1860 and showed artistic talent from a young age. Initially he apprenticed as a tailor, but against his father's wishes decided to pursue a career as an artist. Painting from life and largely self-taught, Blinks honed his skill as a draughtsman during many hours spent at Tattersalls, the auctioneers of racehorses.

His work became defined by realism and accurate observation and gained popularity leading to exhibitions in London at The Dudley Gallery from 1881. Exhibitions followed at The Royal Society of Artists and The Royal Academy where he showed from 1883-1910. He became particularly well known for his lively depictions of hunting scenes, the present lot being a perfect example.

In For'ard on, for'ard on we see Blinks displaying his full prowess as a painter of working dogs on a grand and ambitious scale. The resultant energy emanating from the Oakley hounds as they leap over, through and around the fence, is palpable. The eagerness to follow the scent is etched across their faces in exquisite detail, their bodies mud-splattered from the ploughed field beyond where we see the huntsmen trailing behind. The success of the painting did not go unnoticed when it was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1887, the Art Journal noting 'All hunting men should stop to look at Mr. Blinks's admirable picture of hounds in full cry, No. 204, For'ard on, for'ard on'.