WOOTTON, John
(b. ca. 1682, Snitterfield, Warwickshire, d. 1764, London)

A Lady and a Black Groom

c. 1735
Oil on canvas, 53 x 43 cm
Private collection

This painting depicts a black groom holding a lady's side-saddled hunter. She stands holding her hat, gloves and riding crop with her spaniel and Italian Greyhound. There is a view of the Banqueting House beyond and in the distance is St. Paul's Cathedral.

The present painting is an interesting and unusual composition by Wootton; it has been suggested that the scene may be an illustration of a literary or theatrical scene.