William Powell Frith R.A. 1819-1909. British School 19th.Century. Preparatory study for "The Derby Day" Circa.1857. 20.8 by 22.8 cms. Drawn on grey wove paper applied to backing sheet, some slight cockling to sheet, Frith's trimmed signature applied to lower right corner. Provenance: Private collection UK.
Born in Yorkshire, Frith studied at Sass's Academy in London before attending the Royal Academy Schools in 1835. He first exhibited at the British Institution in 1838. He specialised in genre subjects and panoramic narrative works depicting life in the Victorian era. He has been described as the "Greatest British painter of the social scene since Hogarth"
This particular study of two figures relates to the right hand side group of what is probably his best known work "The Derby Day" depicting scenes among the crowd at the race at Epsom Downs. First exhibited at The Royal Academy in 1858. The painting caused such interest at the time that it had to be protected by a specially installed rail.