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George Stubbs (1724–1806), “Haymakers,” 1785, oil on wood, 35 by 53 inches. Purchased with assistance from the Friends of the Tate Gallery, the National Art Collections Fund, the Pilgrim Trust and subscribers, 1977.

 

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George Stubbs (1724–1806), “A Horse Frightened by a Lion,” 1770, oil on canvas, 40 by 50 inches.  Walker Art Gallery, National Museums Liverpool.

 

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GEORGE STUBBS (1724–1806): A CELEBRATION AT FRICK w/2 cuts

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NEW YORK CITY — “George Stubbs (1724–1806): A Celebration,” an exhibition of nearly 20 paintings by the celebrated artist, is being presented at The Frick Collection, its only North American venue. The exhibition marks the bicentenary of Stubbs’s death by presenting some of his greatest contributions to the tradition of British Eighteenth Century painting, all notable for their originality and beauty.

Furthermore, while Stubbs’s work is represented in many American collections, the exhibition at the Frick exclusively draws upon British-owned examples, many of which have never been shown in New York and have not crossed the Atlantic Ocean in more than 20 years. It will remain on view to May 27.

Stubbs is renown for the precise and noble treatment of animals in a style ordinarily reserved for the human figure, and he spent many years studying and documenting the anatomy of horses, dogs and wild animals.

His understanding of the physical structure of these animals provided him with the exceptional ability to convey accurately their beauty, strength and dignity. Stubbs’s truth to nature, paired with an innate sense of design, balance and restraint, enabled him to create lyrical and graceful representations that are unparalleled by other animal painter.

The Frick showing devotes much attention to animal paintings and also features quintessential English landscape and genre scenes, representing the full range of work in oil that Stubbs produced over the course of his career.

Important paintings have been drawn from the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and Tate Britain, London. Some, such as the Walker’s magisterial portrait of the thoroughbred racehorse “Molly Longlegs,” have been newly conserved for the exhibition.

A revelatory presentation, “George Stubbs” emphasizes the artist’s innovations in subject and makes a compelling case for understanding him as one of the most gifted oil painters of his generation.

The Frick is at 1 East 70th Street. For information, 212-288-0700 or www.frick.org.