The Artist

John Emms (1843-1912) was a British realist painter celebrated for his lifelike depictions of horses and dogs, especially foxhounds and terriers. Born in Norfolk, he trained in London and assisted Lord Frederic Leighton. An avid huntsman, he settled in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, drawing inspiration from the New Forest. His dynamic compositions and keen attention to canine character made him a leading figure in Victorian sporting art, regularly exhibiting at the Royal Academy.