Sawrey Gilpin was the younger brother of the famous author of picturesque travels, the Reverend William Gilpin (1724-1804); he trained as an animal painter and was given important commissions early in his career by William, Duke of Cumberland (1721-65). This is one of five paintings by Gilpin recorded in the Old Dining Room at Windsor Great Lodge (now Cumberland Lodge) in the inventory of the Duke in 1765 (see also RCIN 401257, 401258, 401259, 401260). This depiction of Cumberland's stud was exhibited at the Society of Artists in 1765, where it is described as: ‘King Herod’s dam a capital stud mare in the possession of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, with all her brood, employed according to their ages’. This is the equine equivalent of a portrait of Queen Charlotte with all her children. The horses can be identified from an early inscription on another version of this design in a private collection. The six horses in the foreground, reading from left to right, are unnamed yearling (lying), Cypron, Sejanus, Thais, mare belonging to Sir William St Quentin (1700-1770) and its foal, Senlis. In the distance Drone and Dunce are ridden to the left; Dapper, Dumplin and Doctor gallop on the horizon; Herod is held to the right.