Fernley was the son of a wheelwright, born in Leicestershire in 1782. Fernley first worked as a coach painter until his ability was recognised by the Duke of Rutland, whereupon his father was persuaded to apprentice him to Ben Marshall who enrolled him at the RA Schools. Fernley painted many of his famous pictures of the Quorn Hunt on his return to Leicestershire in about 1805. In 1810 he established himself in Melton Mowbray, where he remained for the rest of his life. Many of Fernley's finest paintings date from the period 1810-1850. His use of colour was excellent and his paintings are comparable to Marshall and second only to Stubbs. Pictured left - The Cur
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The Woolavington Collection