An oil painting by Barrie Linklater of the racehorse Desert Orchid.
£5,000 - £7,000
An oil painting by Barrie Linklater (British, 1931-2017) of the racehorse Desert Orchid,
signed, oil on canvas, 61 by 91.5cm., gilt frame, overall 76 by 99cm., good condition; sold with a file containing a signed manuscript headed sheet dated 28th December 2009 from the artist discussing the painting and other related papers; and a 1994 W.H. Patterson Gallery exhibition catalogue “The Equestrian World of Barrie Linklater”, this painting of Desert Orchid featuring on the front cover, (3).
Barrie Linklater's essay included in this lot reads: “Desert Orchid has been painted many times in racing situations so I felt it would be good to portray him away from those associations, without saddle or tack, galloping free, in an open landscape. I decided upon the effect of a strong overhead light to emphasise his powerful form and action, complimented by the dark thundery sky, which allows him to dominate the scene. As a preparation for this painting I was permitted to see Desert Orchid at David Elsworth's stables and observe him in action on the gallops.”