Portrait of local huntsman Stays in Sussex

Goodwood is delighted to announce the recent purchase of a portrait of Edward Roper, the celebrated huntsman of the Charlton Hunt. The painting, which was bought at the Cowdray Park house sale (13-15 September) conducted by Christie's, depicts Roper in the hunting field with a hound at his side, whip in hand and hounds chasing a fox in the background. It is attributed to the Swedish artist, Michael Dahl, who lived and worked in England for much of his life.
The 1st Duke of Richmond first came to Goodwood to enjoy the hunting with the Charlton Hunt, England's first recorded foxhunt. Roper was huntsman of the Charlton hounds from 1675 to 1723, his long tenure being broken only by a short spell in France when he had to flee the country after the Duke of Monmouth's failed rebellion.  He died in the hunting field in 1723 aged 84.
In 1731, the 2nd Duke of Richmond became master and the Charlton Hunt became the most fashionable foxhunt in the country.
Appropriately, Roper's portrait has been hung at The Kennels, which was built for the 3rd Duke of Richmond's foxhounds and is now the home and clubhouse for all of Goodwood's social and sporting club Members.

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