Sports & Leisure
€ 140
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
The engraving titled "Newmarket in the last Century, Morning on the Warren Hill" dates to 1840 and was published by R. Ackermann, a noted London publisher based on Regent Street. This print captures a lively scene at Newmarket, a town in Suffolk, England, famously associated with horse racing.
The engraving illustrates a bustling morning on Warren Hill, a well-known location in Newmarket used for horse training and exercise. The scene is filled with numerous figures, including jockeys on horseback, trainers, spectators, and carriages, all indicative of the vibrant horse racing culture that characterizes Newmarket.
- Foreground: In the foreground, several figures on horseback converse, while a gentleman in a carriage appears to be engaged in discussions, likely about the horses or upcoming races. A group of well-dressed women and men, possibly part of the gentry or racing enthusiasts, is seen socializing, highlighting the social aspect of horse racing during this period.
- Background: The background is populated with numerous horses and riders, showcasing the extensive training activities taking place. The vast open landscape of Warren Hill stretches out, with distant views of the town and its characteristic architecture, including steeples and rooftops.
Historical Context:
Newmarket has been a central hub for horse racing in England since the 17th century, widely regarded as the birthplace of organized horse racing. By the 18th and 19th centuries, it had become the premier location for horse racing, attracting the aristocracy and elite of British society. Morning sessions on Warren Hill would have been a common sight, with thoroughbred racehorses being exercised and trained in preparation for upcoming races.
Horse racing at Newmarket was more than just a sport; it was a significant social event. It provided an opportunity for the upper classes to gather, socialize, and display their wealth and status. The depiction of Newmarket in the "last century" (i.e., the 18th century) nostalgically captures the tradition and continuity of this esteemed racing venue.
