George Soper’s artwork depicting working horses
Pannett Art Gallery, Whitby
Today, George Soper is probably best remembered for his illustrations for magazines and books, including classics like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Water Babies and Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare. Despite receiving very little artistic training in his youth, he exhibited work throughout his lifetime at the Royal Academy, starting at the age of just 19.
However, Soper’s personal interests lay in painting the rural countryside and portraying the struggles of maintaining the land. He and his daughters, also artists, took inspiration from the nature around their home after settling in rural Hertfordshire. This painting shows a farmer ‘harrowing’ with horses, a stage of field preparation similar to ploughing.
Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Exploring the relationship with the land
George Soper was particularly interested in the relationship between farmers and their horses. During the early 20th century, he watched workers with horses and ploughs, making sketches and eventually painting or carving the scene. His work is often praised for his use of texture and close attention to detail including blades of grasses, the muscles of the horses and the lighting of a scene.
His wood carvings portray horses that seem to be walking forward out of the block of wood, like in this carving from 1935, which would have been used for making prints.
The Soper Collection is currently on loan to Pannett Art Gallery in Whitby. The family had direct connections to the town, visiting in 1911, 1912 and 1913 when George Soper produced a series of prints documenting local industries.
Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Talking Points
Why do you think George Soper was so interested in exploring this rural subject matter?
Many artists have been attracted to horses as subjects. What do you think makes them so interesting? What animal would you choose to illustrate?
Look closely at the wood cut. Why do you think Soper is often seen as a very skilful artist?
How will this artwork be changed when a print is made from the woodcut? What would look different about it?
Do you prefer the painting, the carving or the drawing?
Do you think the scenes are accurate representations of life?
What do you think we can learn about the lives of farmers and working horses in the first half of the 20th century from these artworks? Do you think they give us a full picture?
Explore more works
Look at the four different stages of creating artwork showing ‘Ben’s Team’ logging.
Preliminary sketch for ‘Ben’s team’, by George Soper
Woodblock showing ‘Ben’s team’ by George Soper
Print from the woodblock showing ‘Ben’s team’, George Soper
Watercolour painting of ‘Ben’s Team’ by George Soper
In the Classroom
Hotseat
Interview a student in role as a farmer or farm worker portrayed by George Soper. What do they make of the artworks? Are they offended or flattered? Do they think George Soper captured their jobs accurately?
Hands on History
The Soper Collection is currently on loan to Pannett Art Gallery in Whitby, where you can see examples of the family’s work on display.
Museum Location
Associated Objects
