Description:

MINNA V The portrait of Minna V was painted for Alexander John Alexander and portrays his homebred shorthorn cow in a Woodburn landscape. This piece demonstrates Troye's extraordinary gift for capturing not only the correct conformation of his subjects in a technical sense, but also his ability to portray that intangible vitality, setting him apart from his contemporaries. Minna V is well documented by Alexander Mackay-Smith in "Race Horses of America," providing insight into why A. J. Alexander, who inherited Woodburn, would choose Minna V as the subject of his first Troye commission as opposed to one of the illustrious Woodburn Thoroughbreds. Mackay-Smith describes how A. J. Alexander favored cattle over horses, and that the animals that meant the most to him personally were Woodburn homebreds. It is hardly surprising, given A. J. Alexander's preferences, that he commissioned Troye to paint the animals that had been born and bred on the grounds of Woodburn in Spring Station, Kentucky. Portraits commissioned by his older brother (R.A. Alexander) had been mostly horses he had purchased ... The only two portraits of homebreds had been Asteroid and the mare Novice. The portraits of shorthorn cattle had also been imported animals. A.J. Alexander, on the other hand, commissioned portraits of animals bred at Woodburn. While A.J. Alexander did commission Edward Troye to paint several of his homebred horses, Mackay-Smith relates a humorous demonstration of A.J. Alexander's livestock preferences, as witnessed by a visitor to Woodburn: One morning a carriage load of visitors drove into Woodburn to inspect the stud. Shortly after entering the gates, they encountered a fine looking elderly gentleman who seemed to belong to the place, as he was walking along in a leisurely manner and swinging his cane as he went. They accordingly saluted him and asked him if he would direct them to the stables where they would find certain animals they were desirous of seeing. He responded amiably, but said that he regretted his inability to do so, as he was not familiar with the racehorse department, but if they drove on, they would meet somebody who would tell them. Astonished that anyone who apparently belonged to Woodburn could not direct them to the stables of its most famous horses, known all the world over, they drove on and finally reached their objective. Then they inquired who the singular gentleman was - and learned that he was the owner of the estate.Fortunately, like his brother before him, Alexander John Alexander, was an admirer of Troye. Considering his personal taste, it was not surprising that his first commissions to the artists<br/>were for portraits of cattle. Two portraits of short horned cows are signed E. Troye, Pinxt October 1869 and E Troye, Oct. 7, 1869. Both 20.5" x 28". Both cows are red roaned. The first portrait is of Mazurka 29, 9. Mo. old. The second is of Minna V. Minna V is further listed in the The American Short Horn Record vol. 8: Minna V, Red and White calfed, July 13, 1868, bred by and the property of A J Alexander, Woodburn Farm, Spring Station, KY. Got by Royal Oxford 486, Minna II, by Duke Airdrie 171 and see vol. 6 p. 503, 1879, Feb 1, R BC Lord Minna IV, Duke of Airdrie 4978I A J Alexander. Minna V is further described in The Cultivator and Southern Gentleman; vol. 39 as "being a rich red and white color, now six years old, by Royal Oxford, by the old Duke, she is a large, wide, and level cow of mellow and elastic handling."

  • Dimensions: 20 1/2" x 28"
  • Exhibited: Pageant of the Bluegrass: Painting in Kentucky Collections, 1400-1914, Frankfort, Ky: Kentucky Historical Society, 1977
  • Literature: Mackay-Smith, Alexander. Race Horses of America. Saratoga Springs, N.Y.. National Museum of Racing, 1981, pp. 233 & 316.
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Notes: Signed E. Troye, and dated Oct 7, 1869

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November 19, 2014 4:00 PM EST
Lexington, KY, US

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