John King or John Gregory King (16 April 1929 – 8 September 2014) was an English painter, considered a leading sporting artist of the post war era. ^[1] His works stretched from military and ceremonial occasions, to horse and hound portraits, and hunting scenes. ^[2]

Early life

King was born in West Tytherley in Hampshire to Arthur Gregory King and Dorothy (née Greenman). They ran a farm on which John would occasionally work as he was growing up. ^[1] It is said King showed an aptitude for drawing from a young age, sketching the horses on which he learned to ride and hunt. ^[1] He was educated at Canford School in Dorset, and, with the encouragement of artist Lionel Edwards, a family friend, went on to study at Salisbury College of Art. ^[1] King worked in water colours, oil, and pencil. He was also known to sculpt. ^[2]

Career

King rose to fame for his illustrations for the ‘ Illustrated London News’ and ‘ Horse and Hound’ Magazine. He often worked with former Horse and Hound Editor Michael Clayton, producing illustrations for Michael's weekly column “Foxford’s Hunting Diary”. In 1984 Clayton and King produced a book titled "The Golden Thread" which had illustrations of many hunts across the UK. King also illustrated books by Jim Meads, Robin Page and many others. ^[2] King became a founding member of the Society of Equestrian Artists. ^[1] He became known for the quote that hunting scenes are “90 per cent landscape” ^[1]

High-profile work and patrons

In later life King went on to exhibit with both the Royal Institute and the Society of Wildlife Artists. ^[3] From 1966 onward he held at least ten 'one man exhibits' and many shared exhibits. ^[3] His magnum opus was a commission for Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, Vice-President of the UAE and Emir of Dubai, which comprised a 16 ft by 8 ft painting of ' Dubai Millennium', the Sheikh's racehorse and winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. ^[3] The painting was considered to be the largest equestrian painting produced in the UK for at least 200 years. ^[3] Other high-profile patrons included the Dukes of Beaufort and Northumberland, Household Cavalry, City of London Livery Companies and Tattersalls bloodstock auctioneers. ^[3]

References