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Artist: William Osborne (1823-1901) Title: A Moment of Liberty Signature: signed with monogram lower left Medium: oil on canvas Size: 35.80 x 41cm (14.1 x 16.1in) Framed Size: 54.4 x 58.6cm (21.4 x 23.1in) Provenance: Gorry Gallery, Dublin; Collection of the late Brian P. Burns; Sotheby's, The Irish Art Sale, London, 16th November 2022, lot 231; Private Collection Exhibited: RHA Annual Exhibition 1882 no.136 a#morebtn { color: #de1d01; } a#morebtn:hover { cursor: pointer;} On a grassy hillside, a wild-eyed riderless cavalry horse runs free, empty reins flying in the wind, and empty stirrups swinging. The horse paws the ground, enjoying its moment of liberty-the inference is that is has thrown its rider. Judging by its harness and saddle it is likely a horse of a squad... Read more William Osborne Lot 26 - 'A Moment of Liberty' Estimate: €3,000 - €5,000 On a grassy hillside, a wild-eyed riderless cavalry horse runs free, empty reins flying in the wind, and empty stirrups swinging. The horse paws the ground, enjoying its moment of liberty-the inference is that is has thrown its rider. Judging by its harness and saddle it is likely a horse of a squadron of Dragoons-similar to those involved in the Charge of the Light Brigade. Traditionally, officers in these regiments sought to have horses of the same colour. The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) rode bays-reddish brown horses, with black manes and tails-similar to the mount depicted in Osborne's painting. However, it could equally be a horse of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons. In the background, a mounted Hussar, wearing a plumed shako, sword hanging from his waistband, looks over at the riderless horse. The handling of paint in this work, in the depiction of grass, and the distant horizon, suggests that the artist's son, Walter Osborne, may have learned a good deal from his father before embarking on his own artistic career. Born in 1823 in Dublin, William Osborne initially followed his father in a career as a clerk at Ferrier, Pollock and Co., before, aged 22, entering the schools of the Royal Hibernian Academy. His talents as a painter of horses and dogs became quickly evident, and as there was a keen interest in these animals, he received commissions both from civilian and military sources. His paintings of cavalry horses included Bob a charger of the 14th Hussars and The Moor, a horse of the Scots Greys, both paintings dating from 1874. He also painted Irish hunt scenes, including The Curraghmore Hunt and The Ward Hunt. Peter Murray, January 2023