George Stubbs was an English painter, best known for his paintings of horses. Born on August 25, 1724, in Liverpool, England, he was largely self-taught and developed his skills independently from other great artists of the 18th century. His interest in anatomy, revealed at an early age, became one of the driving passions of his life. Stubbs' output includes history paintings, but his greatest skill was in painting animals, perhaps influenced by his love and study of anatomy. His series of paintings on the theme of a lion attacking a horse are early and significant examples of the Romantic movement that emerged in the late 18th century. He enjoyed royal patronage and his painting, Whistlejacket, hangs in the National Gallery, London. Stubbs passed away on July 10, 1806. His cultural impact is significant as he was a remarkable figure of English Romanticism, and his paintings of horses have been widely appreciated.
