William Conor RHA RUA ROI (1881-1968)
The Horse Parade
Wax crayon, 54 x 42cm (21¼ x 16½'')
Signed

Provenance: With Bell Gallery, Belfast, label verso.

Exhibited: Dublin, Royal Hibernian...

William Conor RHA RUA ROI (1881-1968)
The Horse Parade
Wax crayon, 54 x 42cm (21¼ x 16½'')
Signed

Provenance: With Bell Gallery, Belfast, label verso.

Exhibited: Dublin, Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition 1933, cat. no. 40, priced £120

 

Before the use of motorised vehicles became widespread in Ireland, the horse fair played an essential part within the community. Work horses were needed to help farm the land, cart produce to and from the markets and to pull public carriages. Horses were everywhere and the demand for them was great. Some fairs, such as the one held in Belfast, attracted international attention, with buyers coming from England and Scotland to purchase superior Irish stock.

On a social level, the fair offered an event at which people could meet, trading stories and titbits about their lives. For an artist, such as William Conor, who was propelled to portray the working classes in hearty animation, the horse fair offered the perfect inspiration.

 

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