November 2002:
This painting, depicting Sir William Milner on Horseback, was recently conserved in the studio of David Everingham. The painting was black with discoloured varnish and surface dirt, and was delaminating from a lining canvas as a consequence of its proximity to a hot water pipe. The original and lining canvas were also suffering from a serious mould infestation also as a consequence of the hot water pipe. Removal of the dirt and discoloured varnish revealed the signature of John Ferneley (1782-1860), the well known painter of sporting and equestrian subjects, together with that of a fellow artist, Honthumbray, who presumably worked Ferneley's studio. It seems likely that Ferneley himself painted the main figures. The discovery of the signatures authenticates the painting and provides a valuable insight into the working practice of Ferneley.