Description:

Flannery, Vaughn (American, 1898-1955)
Paddock Practice, Greentree
Oil on board, 20" x 28" , Signed, inscribed 'Saratoga'

Provenance: Kraushaar Galleries, New York By Edward L. Bowen Though Vaughn Flannery once modestly insisted, “I’m not trying to be an artist or anything like that,” his work tells a different story. His paintings transcend mere representation, capturing not just the form of the horse, but its presence—its world. Esteemed voices in the art world, such as John O’Connor Jr. of the Carnegie Institute, recognized this, calling Flannery “an outstanding artist” who “does not portray a horse for its own sake, but he makes a painting of it.” After leaving a career in advertising on Madison Avenue, Flannery settled at Cockade Farm in Maryland, dedicating himself to painting the animals he loved. He also remained connected to publishing—editing American Race Horses (1942–1948) and reshaping The Maryland Horse. As a director at Pimlico Race Course, his passion for the sport extended far beyond the canvas. Flannery’s style, rooted in realism and simplicity, evokes a quiet American charm, reminiscent of Edward Hopper. His horses were painted with authenticity, not glamour—more character study than formal portrait. One of his final works was a series for Greentree Stud, including Shut Out, a stallion he described with heartfelt detail: muted in color, strong in character, and full of quiet grace. “If I could steal one stallion,” Flannery wrote, “this is the one I would make off with.”

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November 13, 2025 4:00 PM EST
Lexington, KY, US

Cross Gate Gallery

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