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George Stubbs

1724 - 1806

Quick Facts

  • Art period: Early Modern
  • Works on APS: 212
  • Lifespan: 82 years
  • Born: 1724, Liverpool, United Kingdom
  • Top 3 works:
    • Lion Attacking a Horse
    • A Bay Hunter With Two Spaniels
    • The Grosvenor Hunt
  • Also known as: Stubbs
  • Creative periods: mature period
  • Corpus themes:
    • royal patronage
    • anatomical study
    • animal anatomy study
    • anatomical precision
    • scientific observation

early life and training

george stubbs, a renowned english painter, was born on august 25, 1724, in liverpool, united kingdom. his early life was marked by a sparse record of his activities until the age of 35, with most information sourced from ozias humphry's memoirs, based on conversations with stubbs in 1794. stubbs began his artistic journey at the age of 15, initially working under his father, a currier or leather-dresser. he later approached hamlet winstanley, a lancashire painter and engraver, for a brief apprenticeship. this short stint allowed him to study the collection at knowsley hall.

artistic development and notable works

stubbs's passion for anatomy led him to move to york in 1744, where he studied under surgeon charles atkinson at york county hospital. one of his earliest surviving works is a set of illustrations for john burton's textbook on midwifery, published in 1751. in 1756, stubbs rented a farmhouse in lincolnshire and spent 18 months dissecting horses, assisted by his common-law wife, mary spencer. this led to the publication of the anatomy of the horse in 1766, with original drawings now housed at the royal academy. stubbs's work was soon recognized by leading aristocratic patrons, including the 3rd duke of richmond, who commissioned three large pictures in 1759. this marked the beginning of his successful career, with works produced for several dukes and lords, culminating in the purchase of a house in marylebone, london.

legacy and notable paintings

stubbs's most famous work, whistlejacket, a painting of a prancing horse commissioned by the 2nd marquess of rockingham, is now housed at the national gallery in london. this and two other paintings for rockingham break with convention, featuring plain backgrounds.
  • whistlejacket, a thoroughbred race horse rising on his hind legs, showcases stubbs's unparalleled skill in capturing the essence of horses.
  • stubbs's series of paintings on a lion attacking a horse are early examples of the romantic movement, demonstrating his influence on 18th-century art.
stubbs's legacy as an equine artist remains unmatched, with his works continuing to inspire and awe art enthusiasts worldwide.

Questions & Answers

In which historical period did George Stubbs work?

George Stubbs worked in the Early-Modern period. The period situates the artist's activity in history.

How many artworks by George Stubbs are available to browse?

You can browse 212 artworks by George Stubbs on the All Artworks page.

What are the birth city and country of George Stubbs?

George Stubbs was born in Liverpool, in United Kingdom.

What are the birthplace and birth year of George Stubbs?

George Stubbs was born in Liverpool in 1724.

Where is George Stubbs from?

George Stubbs was born in United Kingdom.

How is George Stubbs's career divided into periods?

The Chronicle of George Stubbs is a scroll-driven timeline that presents the artist's works in chronological order, grouped into career-period chapters.

What colors did George Stubbs use most often?

George Stubbs's use of color across the works listed on this website can be studied on the artist's Palette Genome page.

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
Where was George Stubbs born?
Question 2:
What was George Stubbs's initial profession before becoming a painter?
Question 3:
Which of the following best describes Stubbs’s early artistic training?
Question 4:
What is 'Whistlejacket' famous for?
Question 5:
During which period did Stubbs spend time studying anatomy under a surgeon?