LIONEL DALHOUSIE ROBERTSON EDWARDS (BRITISH, 1878-1966)

The Cottesmore Hunt is said to date back as far as 1666 when Henry, Viscount Lowther made the journey from Lowther Castle in Westmorland to Finshade Abbey in East Northamptonshire with his own pack of hounds.
At the time of this watercolour by Edwards, the Master of the Cottesmore changed hands from two Colonels to a Major Robert Hoare from West Norfolk. Known for his geniality and sense of fun, Hoare was a prolific fundraiser and supporter of the British Field Sports Society right up until his death in 1976.
The present watercolour shows the Master of the Cottesmore at Withcote in Leicestershire, with the roof of Withcote Hall just visible beyond the crest of the hill.