George Stubbs Quotes

Stubbs was clearly an obsessive, passionate about the anatomical work that he took on, but what were his views on art and life at that time?

Quotes can often summarise an artist beautifully, or at the very least give us an extra insight into the mind behind the work. Attributable quotes on 18th century artists tend to be sparse and, as such, there are quotes about Stubbs from art historians included in this section.

The studio sale of 1807 which sold off many of Stubb's drawings would also have disposed of many of his notes too, which would have provided us with a plethora of information on him, had they still existed. It has been left to British historians to try to piece together greater detail on the likes of Stubbs, Reynolds and Gainsborough over the past few centuries.

Much more is known about the two British figureheads of Turner and Constable, whilst the Paul Mellon Centre has taken on the challenge on the filling in the blanks for many other famous British artists from the past centuries.

Quotes by George Stubbs

None currently available.

Quotes on George Stubbs

Stubbs' customary procedure was first to lay in the animals with a very liquid or dilute paint, probably a drying oil extended by pine resin, which he treated in the manner of a translucent watercolour wash

Victoria Pemberton-Pigott, from our paintings section

Stubbs went to Italy in 1754 "...to convince himself that nature was and is always superior to art whether Greek or Roman, and having renewed this conviction he immediately resolved upon returning home..."

Ozias Humphry

Self-trained, Stubbs learnt his skills independently from other great artists of the 18th century such as Reynolds and Gainsborough. Stubbs' output includes history paintings, but his greatest skill was in painting animals, perhaps influenced by his love and study of anatomy. His series of paintings on the theme of a lion attacking a horse are early and significant examples of the Romantic movement that emerged in the late 18th century. He enjoyed royal patronage.

Wikipedia

George Stubbs was classified in his lifetime as a sporting painter, and as such was excluded from full membership of the Royal Academy. He is best remembered for his paintings of horses and his conversation pieces. Having studied anatomy, Stubbs's pictures of horses are among the most accurate ever painted, but his work is lyrical and transcends naturalism.

The National Gallery

George Stubbs revolutionised the painting of horses and other animals with his rigorous investigations of their anatomy published in his book The Anatomy of the Horse.

The Royal Academy