George Stubbs was born #OnThisDay in 1724. One of our most popular paintings with visitors has to be the monumental painting of the horse Whistlejacket, painted by George Stubbs in about 1762.
Every time a visitor walks into Room 34, the sheer size of this painting stops them in their tracks, while the plain background leaves them wondering whether the painting is actually finished.
According to some writers of this time, the original intention was to commission an equestrian portrait of George III, but it is more likely that Stubbs always intended to show the horse alone rearing up against a neutral background.
Whistlejacket was foaled in 1749. His most famous victory was in a race over four miles for 2000 guineas at York in August 1759. Stubbs's huge picture was painted in about 1762 for the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, Whistlejacket's owner and a great patron of Stubbs.
Photo by Ellie in the #nationalgallery Social Media Team.
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