A PAINTING by a Pershore-born 19th Century sporting artist is expected to fetch up to £200,000 in an auction next month.

Thomas Woodward's picture titled Huntsmen and Hunters on Bredon Hill was painted in 1834 and goes under the hammer at Christie's on Wednesday, June 13.

A further 14 paintings of his are also up for sale with estimates rising to £80,000.

The little-known painter had some celebrated commissions including producing portraits of Queen Victoria and some of Prince Albert's favourite animals.

Among his other patrons were the Duke of Montrose, Duke of Newcastle, Sir Robert Peel and the Earl of Essex.

Christie's art expert, John Stainton, said the sale was the most important group of the artist's work to be sold.

"He was one of the key sports artists of the early 19th Century and was a friend of Edward Landseer and even collaborated with him on one or two pictures," he said.

"He had in his day a great following and a number of his patrons were prominent aristocracy."

Woodward's works rarely appear on the market. His last painting Puckeridge Foxhounds was sold at Christie's in 1989 for £209,000.

Judgement

Huntsmen and Hunters was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1834 and drew the following praise from the often critical Sporting Magazine.

"This is painted with some judgement - the horses are well-placed, and, if they have not been flattered, they are valuable animals, and eminently qualified for a staunch pack," it stated.

"One of the grooms tightening the girth is so easy and natural that we almost fancied ourselves at the covertside in reality, preparing for the 'tallyho' of the huntsman in the background."

Woodward was born in Pershore in 1801 and his two most important paintings are The Battle of Worcester painted in 1837 and The Struggle for the Standard.

He moved to London but also travelled extensively, particularly to Scotland, before returning to Worcestershire.

He died in 1852.