James Woodburn by Sir Leslie Ward

James Woodburn by Sir Leslie Ward

C. 1890

Chromolithograph

This detailed portrait caricature, titled James Woodburn, is a classic antique chromolithograph executed by the celebrated caricaturist Sir Leslie Ward, who signed his work under the famous pseudonym Spy. Published on June 21, 1890, as a supplement plate for Vanity Fair magazine, the print features a full-length profile of the renowned Victorian jockey. Woodburn is captured in a proud stance on a patch of turf, dressed in colorful racing silks consisting of a peach or salmon-colored jacket, white breeches, a dark racing cap adorned with small tufts, and tall riding boots. He grips a slender riding crop in his right hand while resting his left hand firmly on his hip. The composition isolates the subject against a soft, muted greyish-brown gradient background, accented by the artist's stylized signature in the lower right quadrant.

The artwork belongs to the highly collectible "Men of the Day" caricature series published weekly by the British society magazine Vanity Fair between 1868 and 1914. James Woodburn was one of the premier jockeys of the late 19th century, renowned for capturing classic British turf victories including the Oaks and the One Thousand Guineas in 1889. This piece is historically important because it perfectly illustrates the golden age of Victorian lithographic satire and sporting portraiture, which celebrated athletic and high-society icons with a unique mixture of caricature and respect. It survives as an important cultural artifact, printed by the elite lithographers Vincent Brooks, Day & Son, capturing the intersection of late-nineteenth-century media culture, sporting prowess, and the institutionalization of professional horse racing.

Dimensions: H 15 ½” x 10 ½” W

Condition: Tears on top and bottom edges, tape on back