The artwork titled “Park Phaeton with a Pair of Cream Pontes in Charge of a Stable Lad with a Dog” was created by George Stubbs between 1780 and 1785. Rendered in oil on canvas, this piece belongs to the Romanticism art movement and is categorized as a genre painting. It is located at the Yale Centre for British Art at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States.
In the scene depicted in the artwork, a young stable boy is seen managing a pair of cream-colored ponies that are harnessed to a park phaeton, a light, four-wheeled carriage. The stable lad is positioned next to the ponies, holding the reins, and appears to be guiding or calming them. Accompanying the lad is a small dog, which stands alert nearby. The setting is pastoral with lush, imposing trees in the background, casting a serene ambiance. The sky, painted with soft hues of blue and hints of cloud, further enhances the tranquility of the scene. The carriage, detailed yet modest, exemplifies the elegance of the period. The artwork captures a moment of stillness and interaction between human, animal, and nature, emblematic of George Stubbs’ mastery in portraying such harmonious scenes.
