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The English animal painter and draughtsman George Stubbs was born in Liverpool in 1724. His father worked as a leather tanner and leather merchant. So the boy came into contact with various animal products at an early age. At first he worked in his father's tannery until his death. But George was more and more attracted to a completely different occupation, painting and drawing. Therefore he wanted to be trained by a painter and engraver in these artistic fields. After some time, however, this seemed to be insufficient for George and he left the instructor.
George Stubbs was firmly convinced that he could teach himself everything necessary with a lot of hard work and persistence. So he began to make portraits according to the wishes of his clients. Eventually, the 21-year-old decided to pursue specific anatomical studies. Anatomy fascinated him from childhood on. Perhaps this had its origins in the practical experience in his father's tannery. That's why George Stubbs left for York and studied at County Hospital for several years. Here he was able to devote himself to human anatomy and gain a lot of experience for painting. In the course of the next few years he was even able to work as a lecturer for human and animal anatomy in York due to his outstanding achievements. Several published scientific books bear witness to his extensive knowledge in the field of anatomy. George Stubbs made the plates for his books himself, as he also had the necessary knowledge as an engraver. The animal painter was not afraid to dissect horses for slaughter in a rented barn in Horkstow in order to examine their anatomy thoroughly. This finally enabled him to create the truly lifelike horse paintings.
In the noble circles of the time, George Stubbs was known for his precise drawings of animals, especially horses. The orders of his well-heeled customers ensured him a very good income. The special thing about his paintings is that he did not simply depict the animals in a simple pose, but drew them in detail with their peculiarities and often in a sequence of movements. George Stubbs painted not only noble horses, but also dogs, oxen, fighting bulls and lions, always matching the surrounding landscape. George Stubbs became very famous as an animal painter, especially through the "painting of a rising horse" at a parade ("Whistlejacket"). He created this painting in 1760, commissioned by the Prime Minister Charles Watson-Wentworth.
The English animal painter and draughtsman George Stubbs was born in Liverpool in 1724. His father worked as a leather tanner and leather merchant. So the boy came into contact with various animal products at an early age. At first he worked in his father's tannery until his death. But George was more and more attracted to a completely different occupation, painting and drawing. Therefore he wanted to be trained by a painter and engraver in these artistic fields. After some time, however, this seemed to be insufficient for George and he left the instructor.
George Stubbs was firmly convinced that he could teach himself everything necessary with a lot of hard work and persistence. So he began to make portraits according to the wishes of his clients. Eventually, the 21-year-old decided to pursue specific anatomical studies. Anatomy fascinated him from childhood on. Perhaps this had its origins in the practical experience in his father's tannery. That's why George Stubbs left for York and studied at County Hospital for several years. Here he was able to devote himself to human anatomy and gain a lot of experience for painting. In the course of the next few years he was even able to work as a lecturer for human and animal anatomy in York due to his outstanding achievements. Several published scientific books bear witness to his extensive knowledge in the field of anatomy. George Stubbs made the plates for his books himself, as he also had the necessary knowledge as an engraver. The animal painter was not afraid to dissect horses for slaughter in a rented barn in Horkstow in order to examine their anatomy thoroughly. This finally enabled him to create the truly lifelike horse paintings.
In the noble circles of the time, George Stubbs was known for his precise drawings of animals, especially horses. The orders of his well-heeled customers ensured him a very good income. The special thing about his paintings is that he did not simply depict the animals in a simple pose, but drew them in detail with their peculiarities and often in a sequence of movements. George Stubbs painted not only noble horses, but also dogs, oxen, fighting bulls and lions, always matching the surrounding landscape. George Stubbs became very famous as an animal painter, especially through the "painting of a rising horse" at a parade ("Whistlejacket"). He created this painting in 1760, commissioned by the Prime Minister Charles Watson-Wentworth.