John Wootton (c. 1686 – 1764)

• Was an English painter of sporting subjects, battle scenes and landscapes, and illustrator.
• Born in Snitterfield, Warwickshire0.

• He is remembered as a pioneer in the painting of sporting subjects.

• It is likely that he received artistic training from Jan Wyck before 1700.

• Wootton may have begun life as a page to the family of the Dukes of Beaufort.

• His earliest surviving dated work is the equine portrait Bonny Black (1711).

• He remained active until his death in 1764, based in the capital of English horse racing at Newmarket, and producing large numbers of portraits of horses and also conversation pieces with a hunting or riding setting.

• John Wootton died in London on 13 November 1764.

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