RICHARD BARRETT DAVIS I 39 



The artist being himself proprietor of the work, 

 it would seem that this was his first venture in 

 publication and that the engraver shared the 

 speculation. This very fine example of mezzotint 

 engraving is " by permission humbly dedicated to 

 H.R. H. the Duke of Cumberland by his devoted 

 and very humble servant, R. B. Davis." The plate 

 measures 28 inches by 21 inches. 



Having proved his artistic ability it was only to 

 be expected that his family connections should have 

 brought him renown in the country hunted by the 

 Royal hounds ; and he soon numbered among 

 his patrons many of the best known sportsmen 

 of the day, including King George III., the Duke 

 of York, the Duke of Cumberland, the Dukes of 

 Beaufort, Grafton and Richmond, the Earl of 

 Egremont, and Sir F. Bourgeois. Time brought 

 him distinctions both significant of his talent and 

 remunerative; in 1831 he was appointed animal 

 painter to King William IV., and in 1842 he 

 received the patronage of Her Majesty and the 

 Prince Consort. 



In 1813 he executed a picture of "The King's 

 Harriers," with portraits of the huntsman and 

 whipper-in on horseback and thirteen couples of 

 hounds grouped about them ; this work was, no 

 doubt, commissioned in view of the abolition of 

 the Royal harrier pack, as it was given up in April 



