184 ANIMAL PAINTERS 



which serves to exhibit his masterly handling in 

 drawing and grouping is that of Orpheus charming 

 the beasts with his lyre. Another painting which 

 is entitled to special notice is his " Canterbury Pil- 

 grims ; " this picture was painted at the suggestion 

 of Mr. Cromek, an engraver who lived near the 

 artist in Newman Street. The Knight and his 

 young Squire are prominent characters in this 

 piece ; it is remarkable for the skill with which 

 the artist has grouped the numerous figures, and 

 varied the attitudes of the horses in a long pro- 

 cession, an array whose very essence would seem 

 to compel monotony of treatment. Stothard ex- 

 celled as a painter of horses ; the following brief 

 quotation from Mrs. Bray indicates the opinion 

 the first horse-painter of that or any later day 

 formed of his talent in this particular : 



While it was in progress, Stubbs, the animal-painter, 

 called on Stothard, and requested to view his " Canterbury 

 Pilgrims," saying he felt great curiosity to see a picture in 

 which nearly twenty horses were introduced. On looking 

 at it, Stubbs exclaimed, " Mr. Stothard, it has been said 

 that I understand horses pretty well, but I am astonished 

 at yours. You have well studied those creatures and trans- 

 ferred them to canvas with a life and animation which, until 

 this moment, I thought impossible. And you have also such 

 a variety of them ; pray do tell me, where did you get your 

 horses ? " " From everyday observation," replied Stothard ; 

 and Stubbs departed, acknowledging that he could do nothing 

 in comparison with such a work. 



