John Frederick Herring Sr. (1795–1865) was one of the most celebrated English painters of horses and rural life in the 19th century. Born in London to a modest family, he moved as a child to Doncaster, a major centre of horse racing that would shape his artistic direction.

Initially working as a coachman and sign painter, Herring decorated inn signs featuring horses, where his talent quickly attracted local patrons. By the 1820s he had established a reputation as a specialist in equestrian portraiture, capturing racehorses, hunters, and sporting scenes with exceptional vitality and precision.

His success grew rapidly in the 1830s, with regular exhibitions at the Royal Academy and commissions from aristocratic patrons, including royalty. Known for his vivid colour, dynamic compositions, and remarkable ability to convey the power and character of animals, Herring became one of Britain’s leading animal painters.

In his later career, after moving to Kent, he increasingly depicted agricultural life and pastoral scenes, often focusing on the harmony between people, horses, and the countryside. He also developed a looser, more atmospheric style while maintaining his hallmark realism.

Herring’s legacy continued through his sons, who also became painters, and his influence remains central to British equestrian art. He died in 1865, leaving a rich body of work celebrated for its energy, accuracy, and deep understanding of animal life.