Dramatic Blackshaw Up For Auction
A dramatic equestrian oil by Basil Blackshaw, thought to depict show jumper Paul Darragh in full flight, comes for sale in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex next month.
A dramatic equestrian oil by Basil Blackshaw, thought to depict show jumper Paul Darragh in full flight, comes for sale in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex next month. The 50 x 60cm signed oil on board signed by one of Ireland’s most celebrated horse painters is expected to bring £7000-10,000 at Sworders on April 30.
As the son of a trainer who rode from an early age, Blacksaw (1932-2016) had an intimate knowledge of horses, and he returned to the subject time and again throughout his career.
In this picture he captures the moment of clearing a fence, the chestnut horse taking to the air, rider braced forward over its neck. The subject is thought to be the show jumper Paul Darragh (1953-2005). Darragh was on the winning team in the Aga Khan three years in a row from 1977 to 1979 riding the mare Heather Honey.
Confidently worked with the paint thinly and deftly applied and the raw board showing through in places, it was quite probably a commission completed in the 1970s. Eamonn Mallie, Basil Blackshaw's biographer, has assisted in the cataloguing of the lot.
The popularity of Blackshaw’s work at auction has increased in recent years (pictures have made over £100,000) marking him among Ireland’s most celebrated artists of the last century.
Recent News
The Evolution of Japanese Ceramics
Japanese ceramics are highly appreciated for balanced coexistence of tradition and innovation; while older techniques are respected and preserved, new forms and ways of working with ceramics keep emerging. Today, Japan can boast with more than 100 pottery centres, each maintaining their own techniques, tradition and utilization of local materials.
17 June 2026
A New Chapter
The varied and rich artistic traditions of the Indian, Islamic and Southeast Asian worlds continue to fascinate a global network of collectors and institutions. This year, Sworders Auctioneers have established a new area in its biannual Asian Art sales, dedicated to celebrating a great variety of works from these vibrant centres of artistic excellence.
17 June 2026
Prince Harry Praises Courage and Ingenuity of HALO's Ukrainian Deminers
The Duke of Sussex joined HALO Ukrainian deminers on the ground in Bucha to see first-hand how innovation is reshaping one of the world's most dangerous jobs.
15 June 2026