Man O' War Painting ....Can you identify the artist???

[Rajun Cajun]

Hey everyone, I found this painting in an antique shop. I am really curious about it as it is very well done. Please go to my website and look at the picture. There is a link on the home page on the right toward the bottom. If you know anything about it I would love to hear from you. There is more information there about the picture, also.

I was told that pictures like this were once handed out to "special" visitors who came to see Big Red. Anybody know anything about that?

This is my first post here. I must say that I am enjoying everyone's comments.

www.buildabetterracehorse.com

[ak1]

At first glance that looks very much like a C W Anderson painting....are there any markings in the lower corners? Some of his work was signed simply with an "A" in a lower corner.

I'll take a look at some of my CW Anderson books this evening and see if there is a match.

Lovely painting no matter who painted it.

[Rajun Cajun]

No marks that I can see...just the signature on the back. I'd be happy with an Anderson though!!! Wouldn't his been on regular artist canvas?

[LaTroienne]

Here're some sketches C.W. did of Man o' War: do they look like your painting?

http://store.encore-editions.com/Gifts/ ... nOWar.html
http://store.encore-editions.com/Gifts/ ... eLead.html
http://store.encore-editions.com/Gifts/ ... track.html

[going4stamina]

It looks like the style of Wesley Dennis, the illustrator for Marguerite Henry's books (Misty, Black Gold, etc.)

Is it a painting or a print?

[Lucy]

Nice call, G4S - that's a Wesley Dennis, or I'm a green monkey.

[dee of CA]

Thats what I came up with. Wesley Dennis.

Dee of CA

[Barbaro06]

I need to start going to antique shops...might find me a nice old timey horse racing painting to go with all my other racing stuff...

[ak1]

Oil on board is commonly used, so not surprised that it is not on canvas.

Just went thru my copy of Big Red by CW Anderson...no sketch that matches that painting, however, several of his head studies of Man o War are very similar in style to the head on your painting. (specifically how the ears, eyes, and nose are portrayed)

Wesley Dennis is certainly another possibility though I don't have any of his oil illustrations here to compare with only his illustrations in The Red Pony which are ink and watercolor sketches and much more fluid, less solid than the oil. What I remember of his covers on the Marguerite Henry books is a very particular way of doing ears/eyes along with lots of texture and definite use of light.

What I'm trying to remember is some tidbit is sticking in my brain about perhaps Riddle did some painting??? I read my Anderson book thinking it was in there but no luck. Has anyone else heard similar?

[darkmoonlady]

Thats a Wesley Dennis painting. I have no doubt of it. I've loved his work and I know the style (am an artist myself). You might want to look through his catalogue online and see if there is a print done of the painting, and if so you can get it authenticated. Its a great find.

Edited to add here is a link to a newsletter from the National Sporting Library that says King of the Wind was dedicated to Sam Riddle owner of Man'O War so its no great long shot to think he could have done a painting for him.

http://www.nsl.org/dennis.htm

[magic code]

Dorothy Ours posts as "Redhead" on the Thoroughbred Champions forum. You might contact her.

[jellac]

Rajun Cajun -

First let me say "Welcome" to the Pedigree Online" forum. (I liked your "Build A Beter Racehorse" website, b/t/w - that name's a succinct and catchy capture of the breeders' goal.) I also enjoyed your found painting.

If you're convinced this is the work of Mr. Dennis I'd suggest you Goggle "Wesley Dennis, artist" and check out the other links, aside form the NSL link that was provided above, especially the link to a site: "every picture tells a story" - an online listing of works by illustrators, as distinguished from 'artists'. It has alphabetical listings of works for sale from posters, to cartoons, sketches, to original oil painting/watercolors etc. There is another site with a sketch by Mr. Dennis up for bid. IF you live in Folsom, LA - the heart of Louisiana's thoroughbred country, then New Orleans with it's art/antiques dealers/appraisers is not too far away - you might see if someone there, with that specialty, can give you adefinitive identification/valuation. Maybe the next time you go to the Fairgrounds? An art museum's staff can also usually help you by accessing some of the art 'blue books' of recently paid auction prices, etc. for a given artist's works that are not available unless you have a paid subscription to such services, etc. OR at least referring you to a reputable appraiser, letting you know if what you have is worth that effort or is simply something to enjoy for it's own sake and the pleasure it givees you.

[Rajun Cajun]

Thanks everyone...I figured someone hear would know something. It is definetely a painting. I have been in touch with Dorothy Ours who couldn't ID it and put me in touch with the Keeneland library. They own the photograph. They had never seen the painting before and are sure it is an original. The Samuel Doyle Riddle on the back is what threw me off. I thought maybe someone brought the picture to him to be autographed.(??) I do plan on taking the painting into New Orleans. Just checking around to find the best place to go.

Antiques Roadshow, where are you when I need you!

[LB]

I don't know if it helps you at all but there's an incredibly similar picture on the cover of this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Man-O-War-Page-Co ... 536&sr=1-3

[Nerd]

At first glance I would think Wesley Dennis would have done the face differently. Either way though, I'm pretty sure your painting and the one on the cover of the book LB pointed to are done after the photograph on the cover of this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Man-War-Legend-Like-Lightning/dp/0312341008/ref=pd_sim_b_1/103-2021004-5109435?ie=UTF8&qid=1186104536&sr=1-3

I can't quite make out the image credit on the back inside cover