George Smart
The Earth Stopper
Details
Artist
George Smart
Title
The Earth Stopper
Date
1840
Medium
Mixed media (patchwork and watercolour)
Dimensions
H: 36 x W: 48 cm
Reference
CVCSC:0030.F
Collection
Status
On Display
A cutting attached to the reverse of this picture tells its story: ‘The Business of an Earth Stopper, the Night previous to a Day’s Sport, is to stop up the Fox’s Earth whilst he is out Feeding. The above gentle Swain is supposed to be on his way home, when by a sudden turn of the Lane he is brought plump upon what he conceives to be nothing more or less than the Devil, but which in fact is a simple Sweep and his Donkey’.
George Smart The Earth Stopper 1840 © Compton Verney