Born in Waterford, Peter Curling’s interest in horses and the tradition of their depiction began in his early childhood when his mother was involved in the sale of sporting art. His talent for equine depictions was soon recognised and at the age of fourteen, then living in England, he had his first sell out show at Lambourn. Curling studied at Stonyhurst, won a scholarship to Milfield, and subsequently studied old master skills for two years in Florence. This training allowed him to hone his t
alent for depicting horses when he returned to Ireland, capturing movement while remaining true to anatomical detail. Horses have been at the centre of his world not only in terms of his painting. His interest has extended at various times into ownership, hunting, training and stewarding, and he now runs his own stud with his wife Louise in Co. Tipperary.
Demand for his work is increasingly high, and Curling is widely regarded as the leading Irish equestrian painter. This is due to his unique treatment of his subjects. Each horse is painted with intimate understanding that reveals an individual character. This certainly applies here, where the intensity of the five horses and their jockeys is immediate yet individual, striking against the hazy yet unifying landscape backdrop.
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