Wed Nov 27 08:01:25 UTC 2024: ## Stubbs’ Iconic “Spanish Pointer” Heads to Auction, Expected to Fetch Millions
**London, UK –** George Stubbs’ renowned painting, “The Spanish Pointer,” is set to be auctioned at Sotheby’s London next week, marking its first appearance at auction in 52 years. The 18th-century masterpiece, believed to have been painted between 1766 and 1768, is expected to sell for between £1.5 million and £2 million – a stark contrast to its previous auction prices of £30,000 in 1972 and just £11 in 1802.
The painting, considered one of Stubbs’ most celebrated works, showcases the artist’s mastery of animal anatomy. Julian Gascoigne, a senior director and British paintings specialist at Sotheby’s, described the painting’s reappearance as “very exciting.” The detailed depiction of the Spanish Pointer, a breed newly introduced to England at the time, highlights the dog’s distinctive features, including its large head and broad nostrils, reflecting the breed’s valued hunting abilities.
Stubbs, a largely self-taught artist, produced fewer than 400 paintings in his lifetime. His anatomical knowledge and skill in portraying animals, particularly horses, earned him widespread recognition. Other notable works include “Whistlejacket,” currently displayed at the National Gallery in London, and several pieces in the Tate Britain collection.
“The Spanish Pointer” has had limited public viewings, with its only previous exhibition being at the National Gallery of Sports and Pastimes in 1948. The painting will be on display at Sotheby’s exhibition of 19th-century and old master paintings until early December before the highly anticipated auction.
First Piper 