'Sheepface', a Black Charger with Stainsby the Groom

Clifton Tomson (Nottingham 1775 – 1831). Oil painting on canvas, 'Sheepface', a Black Charger with Stainsby the Groom by Clifton Tomson (Nottingham 1775 – 1831), signed and dated, lower right: Clifton Tomson/Notts. 1810. A black charger is shown facing left, held by a liveried groom who stands near a column. The horse is saddled, with black fur over the saddle and a martingale. The groom wears a black top hat, gold striped waistcoat and fawn breeches with top boots. He holds a sabre in his hand. A park type landscape is shown behind, with reddish sky (Inventory card). Clifton Tomson was a Nottingham artist whose work includes horses, dogs, cattle and also racing, hunting and some shooting scenes. Sheepface is held by the groom, Stainsby, outside the front door of Calke. (House Guide, last revised 1996). Calke Abbey, Derbyshire (Accredited Museum)