Description
The Durham Ox was born in 1796 and bred by a the two Colling brothers named in north England. During the 1790s they followed new methods of systematic livestock breeding and helped pioneer this Shorthorn breed as an alternative to the Longhorn breed that was common at the time. An ox is a type of cattle, usually male, is typically bred for performing heavy labor, such as pulling plows or carts. Nonetheless, the famous “Durham Ox,” a large Shorthorn, was used to promote the breed’s beef qualities and its development for meat was supported by its usefulness in the Industrial Revolution for feeding workers and providing fat for candles and grease. A promoter named John Day bought The Durham Ox in 1801, gave the ox that name, and began a traveling show exhibiting him at agricultural fairs and other events in England and Scotland. In 19th-century England, owners of prize livestock animals — mostly cattle and pigs — commissioned paintings and prints to showcase their achievements and advertise their breeding stock. In 1802, John Day published the print of it under the title The Durham Ox after a painting by the sporting and animal painter John Boultbee. The Durham Ox dislocated its hip while being toured in 1807 and soon after had to be slaughtered, whereupon Day sold it for meat.
John Boultbee was a painter and draftsman known for his sporting and animal subjects who lived in Chester and Liverpool, England. He began studying at the Royal Academy in 1775 and exhibited with the Free Society, Society of Artists, and Royal Academy over the next two years. He produced paintings of horses, cattle and sheep; dated paintings are known from 1784 to 1805. Many of these were also made into engravings, notably The Durham Ox.
John Whessell was an English engraver working in London at the end of the 18th century. He engraved after Serres, Stothard, Singleton, Sartorius and Gainsborough, among others.
Inscription beneath title:
“To the Right Honorable Lord Sommerville. This print is with great respect humbly dedicated by his Lordship’s most obedient humble servant John Day. This wonderful animal is now the property of Mr John Day of Harmston near Lincoln, and was March 20 1802, six years old.”
[Beneath this are measurements of the ox (girth, breadth) and a further note:]
“Subscriptions taken for this Print in the first Year amounted to two thousand and upwards, from whence the Public opinion of this beautiful animal may be well ascertained. This Ox is still in a growing and improving state, and weighs according to the computation of the best judges 30 score per quarter, which is 300 stone 8lb to the stone, or 171 stone 14lb to the stone.”
Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light toning, wear, handling, minor discoloration patches. Not examined out of frame. Hogarth frame, black with gilt edges good with light wear.
References:
“John Boultbee.” British Museum. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG20454 (24 October 2025).
“Our History at the Durham Ox.” The Durham Ox Crayke. https://thedurhamox.com/about-us/our-history/ (24 October 2025).
Williamson, George C., ed. Bryan’s Dictionary of Painters and Engravers. London: G. Bell and Sons: 1930. Vol. 5, p. 24 (Sartorius) Vol. 5, p. 359 (Whessell).
