John Beer

British, 1860-1930

Little is known about the life of Beer (not to be confused with John Axel-Richard Beer, 1853-1906). He spent most of his working life in London, at one time using the studio over Fores Gallery, formerly used by A. C. Havell. For a short period he is recorded as living in Goldsmith Street, Nottingham.

Beer worked in oil, watercolor, and gouache. Flat racing and point to point were his main subjects. His other key work includes a set of eight pictures of The Derby. He regularly painted racehorse portraits in oils, and was one of several artists who were employed to produce quick spontaneous race finishes. Beer’s drawings were hung at the race course so that late arrivers to the race track could see who had won the earlier races. Beer unfortunately fell into the trap of competing with photographs.

The Grand National, 1913 Watercolor 9" x 14"	The Middle Park Plate Watercolor 10.5 x 14.5	The Derby, 1900 (Diamond Jubilee) Watercolor 9" x 14"	The Jockey Club Stakes, 1904 Watercolor 10.5" x 14"
The Finish for the St. Ledger Stakes, Doncaster 1911 Watercolor 10" x 13.5'	The Winner of the St. Ledger, Doncaster 1911 Watercolor 9" x 13"	The Cambridgeshire, 1912 Watercolor 9.5" x 13.5"