Bonhams 1793 : Edward Robert Smythe (British, 1810-1899) Favorite hounds, the property E. Walter Greene Esq, Master of the Suffolk hounds 35 x 52 in. (89 x 132 cm.)

Favorite hounds, the property E. Walter Greene Esq, Master of the Suffolk hounds
signed 'E R Smythe' (lower left), signed and inscribed on an old label attached to the stretcher
oil on canvas
35 x 52 in. (89 x 132 cm.)

Sold for US$ 116,500 inc. premium

Footnotes

The Suffolk hunt can be traced back to the middle of the 18th century when a large part of the county was hunted by The Duke of Grafton.

Sir (Edward) Walter Greene, first baronet (18421920), was born at the Westgate Brewery on March, 14 1842. Educated at Rugby School, Walter had three great interests in life: hunting (he hunted packs of harriers, fox and stag hounds in Suffolk and Worcestershire), driving carriages four-in-hand, and his succession of ever bigger steam yachts. He drew an income from the family brewery to pay for his hobbies, and in 1897 he served office as high sheriff of Suffolk. Three years later he was rewarded with the baronetcy his father had been promised shortly before his death. The Bible and Surtees formed the limits of his reading matter, and sport and practical jokes were his favorite pursuits. Although dutiful, an avid churchman, colonel of militia, and JP, his convivial life was a prolonged pursuit of pleasure. Sir Walter Greene died at Nether Hall on February, 27 1920, and was buried at Thurston church, Suffolk.