The Painting
A watercolour measuring 9" x 13½".
Signed Finch Mason.
About the Artist
George Finch Mason (1850-1915) was a sporting artist, author and illustrator, specialising
in humorous studies and caricatures. His father was a schoolmaster at Eton and he
was educated there in 1860-64. He contributed to several books including Humours
of the Hunting Field (1886), Flowers of the Hunt (1889), The White Hart and other
Stories (1891), The Run of the Season (1902), and Heroes and Heroines of the Grand
National (1907 and 1911). He was a frequent contributor to many sporting publications
of the time and was ‘Uncle Toby’ of The Sporting Times. He also worked for Punch.
The Subject
Snorter’s Bet - a humorous jump racing scene. The inscription reads:
“There’s one Bet I will make”, said Snorter
“Which is, I’m first over the water”
And he won it in style
Midst a general Smile
Though his horse didn’t do what he Oughter.
