A to Z of artists Best, John Op 1750 - 1801

Few facts are known of this early and very competent painter of horses.  We know that from 1772 to 1780 he exhibited seven pictures at the Society of Artists of Great Britain.  He moved frequently during this period, living first at Portland Street until 1775, then Great Titchfield Street until 1777 when he moved to New Cavendish Street, and finally in 1779 to Little Britain.

Best’s exhibited pictures were mainly horse portraits, but also included a dog, a cat and a game cock.  He is, however, perhaps best known for his copies of Stubbs’ paintings which are always signed ‘J. Best’ although the quality is good enough to confuse the average person.  His copying of Stubbs influenced his own painting of horses  which has many of Stubbs’ characteristics, particularly in the painting of heads and less in the bodies.  Best painted many portraits of prize bulls including one for the well-known Derbyshire breeder, Mr. Bakewell.  He also painted racehorse portraits including ‘Eager’ the 1791 Derby winner.  Some of the animal portraiture is quite primitive in style but nevertheless of good quality.

Stubbs’ copies recorded by him include ‘The Labourers’, ‘The Waldegrave Family’ and ‘The pointer’.  A patron in the 1780s was Lord Clermont.

Source: The Dictionary of British Equestrian Artists by Sally Mitchell (1985), published by the Antique Collectors’ Club.