An oil painting by Barrie Linklater of the racehorse Desert Orchid.
£5,000 - £7,000
An oil painting by Barrie Linklater (British, 1931-2017) of the racehorse Desert Orchid,signed, oil on canvas, 61 by 91.5cm., gilt frame, overall 76 by 99cm., good condition; sold with a file containing a signed manuscript headed sheet dated 28th December 2009 from the artist discussing the painting and other related papers; and a 1994 W.H. Patterson Gallery exhibition catalogue “The Equestrian World of Barrie Linklater”, this painting of Desert Orchid featuring on the front cover, (3).Barrie Linklater's essay included in this lot reads: “Desert Orchid has been painted many times in racing situations so I felt it would be good to portray him away from those associations, without saddle or tack, galloping free, in an open landscape. I decided upon the effect of a strong overhead light to emphasise his powerful form and action, complimented by the dark thundery sky, which allows him to dominate the scene. As a preparation for this painting I was permitted to see Desert Orchid at David Elsworth's stables and observe him in action on the gallops.”