Ward was a successful animal painter who gives his horses a nervous, highly-strung character often supported by an intense and dramatic landscape background. Ward was appointed Painter and Engraver in Mezzotint to the Prince of Wales in 1794 and executed engravings after works in the collection for George III. There are only three paintings in the collection, horse portraits of identical dimensions, commissioned by George IV at a cost of 100 guineas each and executed in 1821 and 1824. It is difficult to say how connected the three paintings were; George IV often commission groups of similar paintings without apparently considering exactly how they might pair off. Two of the Wards, including this one, were together at Windsor in 1878 (OM 1135-6, 405017-8), while the third was at Stud Lodge (OM 1137, 402008), but they may have been a set of three which had become separated.

Not much is known about Nonpareil, except that the name means 'Without Compare'; he was probably foaled in 1806. This bay horse is seen standing by a river with a view of Windsor from the north-west in the distance and a rainbow in the sky. This is a perfect illustration of the way Ward's art manages to be vivid and sparkling, while at the time being dramatic and even menacing.

Signed and dated: 'JWARD RA. 1824'