The Road to Epsom

This watercolour depicts the rush of people arriving at one of the main race meetings of the year, the Derby at Epsom, which takes place in early June. It is run over a distance of one mile four furlongs and ten yards. The first Derby was run in 1780, named after the 12th Earl of Derby and it has inspired many similar events around the world.

Thomas Nicholson was primarily an illustrator who worked in London and excelled in equestrian subjects. He was the principal artist for Cassell’s Illustrated Family Paper, 1853-1857 and also worked for magazines. Much of his work is crowded and resembles another great illustrator, HK Browne.

This loosely painted watercolour appears like a preparatory work for an engraving for an illustrated journal which would be consistent with Nicholson’s occupation. He produced many engravings in which horses feature prominently There is an element of caricature in the work as he highlights the carriage of three ladies which is being swept along in the tide of galloping horses.