Randall Davey (American, 1887–1964) Hialeah, Going to the Post

Exhibited

"Randall Davey, Artist/Bon Vivant: A Retrospective Exhibition," Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, December 16, 1984-January 20, 1985; and Museum of the Southwest, Midland, Texas, January 31, 1985-March 3, 1985; and J.B. Speed Art Museum, Louisville, Kentucky, March 19, 1985-May 5, 1985.

Note

Hialeah Park, located along the Everglades in Florida, opened in 1925 and quickly drew an international crowd of spectators fond of horse racing. It was built by the Miami Jockey Club with the intention of bringing potential real estate investors to the area. A turf course opened in 1933, making Hialeah the first American park with a grass racetrack. Davey was himself a known aficionado of horses and his outgoing and energetic nature is evident is this colorful and spiritied depiction of well-dressed spectators greeting each other on their way to the grandstands, as the race horses pass-by in the cloudy background, on their way to the starting post.

Provenance

Collection of the National Audubon Society.

Christie's (their sale), Santa Fe, sale of July 2, 1985, lot 54.

Acquired directly from the above sale.

Masco Corporation, Taylor, Michigan.

Sotheby's, New York (their sale), New York, sale of December 3, 1998, lot 134.

Acquired directly from the above sale.

Collection of Charles and Virginia Bowden, San Antonio, Texas.