Stubbs, George (1724-1806) - John Musters & Rev Storey 1771

Painted in 1771, John Musters and the Reverend Storey is one of George Stubbs's most quietly compelling double portraits — two gentlemen on horseback, at ease in the English landscape, their horses rendered with the anatomical mastery that made Stubbs the most sought-after equestrian painter of his age. John Musters of Colwick Hall, Nottinghamshire, was a prominent figure in the Midlands sporting world, and this commission speaks to the deep bond between Stubbs and the landed gentry who were his greatest patrons. The composition is intimate without being small: two men, two horses, a sweep of English parkland, and a sky that Stubbs has made entirely his own. It is a painting about companionship, status, and the pleasures of the English countryside — and it has never looked better than it does now.

Restoration & Remastering

The original had accumulated the familiar toll of time: yellowed varnish, flattened contrast, and colours far removed from what Stubbs painted in 1771. Our work was guided by a single question: what did this painting look like when it first hung at Colwick Hall?

• Varnish yellowing removed — the amber cast was lifted, recovering the cooler tones of the sky, cleaner greens of the parkland, and the true colours of the gentlemen's coats and horses
• Horse anatomy sharpened — muscle definition, neck and shoulder structure, and the individual character of each mount were recovered, honouring Stubbs's anatomical precision
• Figure detail restored — the coats, waistcoats, and riding dress of both men were clarified, giving each figure greater presence and individuality within the composition
• Shadow detail reopened — information lost in the darker areas of the horses' coats and the foreground was recovered, restoring genuine three-dimensional form
• Landscape depth corrected — the parkland, middle distance, and horizon were separated and clarified, dramatically increasing the sense of space and English air
• Sky drama enhanced — cloud volume increased, tonal range expanded, and the quality of afternoon light recovered so the sky feels open and alive
• Coat sheen and texture recovered — the horses' coats gained the sheen, muscle transitions, and subtle colour variation that distinguish a Stubbs horse from any other painter's
• Dynamic range increased — richer blacks, brighter highlights, and stronger colour separation, while fully respecting the character of the original

The result is faithful to Stubbs's composition and intent, but optimized for modern display, large-format printing, and contemporary viewing. It still feels unmistakably like George Stubbs — but with over 250 years of dust, fading, and yellowed varnish stripped away.

Why Collectors Love It

• A rare and intimate Stubbs double portrait — two gentlemen, two horses, and the English landscape at its most serene
• The easy companionship of the figures and the quality of the parkland light make this one of Stubbs's most approachable and human compositions
• Meticulously restored and remastered to recover the painting's original warmth, colour, and depth
• Printed on premium archival museum stock for exceptional colour fidelity and longevity

Perfect For

Perfect for equestrian enthusiasts, sporting art collectors, country houses, and anyone drawn to the quiet elegance of 18th-century English portraiture and the landscapes Stubbs made his own.

Elliott Best Remastered prints are produced on premium archival museum stock for the finest colour fidelity and longevity.