Yesterday, Monday 10 July 2006 was the 200th anniversary of the death of Liverpool-born artist George Stubbs, not only arguably the greatest painter of horses but also hugely successful with other animal subjects.
The Walker Art Gallery invited visitors to its current exhibition George Stubbs: A Celebration to contribute by writing labels for the paintings.
Other people who wrote labels at the start of the exhibition in April included Everton defender Alan Stubbs, a possible descendant of the artist.
More than one hundred entries were received for the competition.
One of the winners is the Countess of Derby (pictured here in front of the painting) whose label, written on a visit to the gallery, is for the painting Thomas Smith Senior and Thomas Smith Junior of the Brocklesby Hunt, with the Hound Wonder.
Lady Derby says of this painting, dating from 1776: “The horses look like the riders. The son’s horse is younger and fitter and Thomas Senior’s horse looks wise and honest.