🏇 Victorian Oil Painting | Derby Winner Melton & Champion Jockey Fred Archer | Signed by F. S. Evans c.1885

🖌 Subject & Medium 
This is a magnificent sporting portrait Victorian oil painting on canvas (circa 1885) by British artist F. S. Evans, titled “Melton Bay Hunter Race Winner Derby with Jockey Fred Archer Up.” It immortalizes the famous racing bay hunter Melton, victorious in the 1885 Derby, with none other than legendary jockey Fred Archer astride, ready to make history.

Preserved under a protective glass front and set in its original gilt frame, this is not just a painting — it’s a living piece of 19th-century British sporting heritage.

🌿 Composition & Technique
The composition is striking:
In full side profile, the sleek, powerful form of Melton commands the canvas, facing left with arched neck, flared nostrils, and gleaming bay coat. Every detail — the shimmer of the horse’s fur, the tension in its muscles, the glint of the bridle — is exquisitely rendered.

Perched in the saddle is Fred Archer, elegant and poised, his crisp white breeches and grey-blue racing silkscontrasting beautifully with the deep browns of the horse and the earthy tones of the rural backdrop. The subtle greens and soft blues of the Norfolk countryside lend an atmospheric calm, balancing the tension of the racehorse and rider.

🎨 The Brushwork & Style:
Evans’s brushwork is a masterclass in Victorian realism. He uses fine, controlled strokes to define the delicate features of the horse — you can see the eyelashes, the veins on the muzzle, the taut muscles beneath the skin. Broader, looser strokes shape the pastoral setting, creating a soft-focus background that places all attention on the equine subject.

The colour palette is both bold and harmonious:

• Rich bay browns and black on the horse

• Crisp white and muted grey-blue on Archer

• Soft green grass, pale blue sky, and warm golden light in the background

The result is a vivid, lifelike portrayal that feels both intimate and grand, blending portrait precision with the grandeur of British sporting tradition.

✍ Signature
Signed by F. S. Evans in the lower corner — a standout example of his finest work.

👨🎨 About Fred Archer
Fred Archer (1857–1886), called The Tin Man, was Victorian England’s most celebrated jockey. A 13-time Champion Jockey, Archer’s career was marked by record-breaking success, winning over 2,700 races — achievements that stood for decades. Though his life was tragically short, Archer’s legacy lives on as one of horse racing’s greatest legends.

🏆 About Melton
Owned by Lord Hastings, Melton won both the 1885 Epsom Derby and the St. Leger Stakes, entering the history books as one of the 19th century’s most celebrated racehorses. As reported by The Times, the Derby was “a truly magnificent race,” with a finish so tight that no one was sure of the winner until Melton’s number was hoisted.

🖼 Frame Details
Set in its original ornate gilt frame, this artwork carries an authentic Victorian charm, perfectly suited for display in a home, study, gallery, or office.

📏 Measurements (Framed)
Height: 81 cm
Width: 99 cm
Depth: 2.5 cm

📜 Provenance
From the estate of Stafford Ellerman (1928–2022), whose family had connections to Lord Hastings and preserved this piece across generations. A companion painting by the same artist is held in the National Trust Collection at Seaton Delaval Hall, highlighting the historic and cultural significance of this work.

Auction labels verso from a high-end Surrey sale; part of the Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD collection. Canvas back stamped Peroy Young, Slade School Fine Art Department, London.

❤️ Why You’ll Love It
✅ A masterfully painted equestrian portrait filled with energy and realism
✅ Features iconic figures: champion jockey Fred Archer and Derby winner Melton
✅ Stunning Victorian brushwork and rich colour tones
✅ A prestigious and rare collector’s piece with outstanding provenance
✅ Ready to hang — a statement artwork for home, office, or collection

🔍 Condition Report

• Fine used condition overall

• Shows foxing stains and craquelure consistent with age

• Frame displays age-related wear: minor scuffs, dust, and light surface marks

• Comes with hanging thread, ready for immediate display

🌍 Worldwide Shipping Available
Professionally packaged and fully insured for safe international delivery.

🖼️ Available exclusively through Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

📩 Inquire now to secure this unique piece