The Mistress and the Stray Bay Horse

Of course I own an American Revolution-era mob cap. Doesn’t every self-respecting woman own one?

Visitors to Colonial Williamsburg may recognize the advertisement contained within this painting as one that comes from a replica of the June 1766 Virginia Gazette. The Gazette is filled with the news of the day, but it is the advertisements of land for sale and rewards for stray horses and runaway slaves which catch the eye most.

The announcement of the stray or stolen bay hourse reminded me of a story – a very short story – which I once illustrated. That tale told of a bay horse which ran away from his own story, in order not to share the same fate as the family chicken and the family pig.

I think that very same bay horse ran from that story to this story and now has run away again. I wonder where he will end up this time?

The Mistress in this story is obviously quite well off, since she is offering a rather substantial reward for the recovery of her bay horse. She offers 50 shillings for the return of her horse and if stolen, £10 if the thief is convicted. That would be, I believe, the equivalent of about $2000. - today.

The advertisement reads:

“Strayed or stolen from Warwick, the 27th of May last, a large likely bay horse, with a small star in his face, a hanging mane and switch tail, shod before, carries his head very high, paces remarkably well, and was in very good order. Whoever brings the said horse to me at Warwick, or gives information where I may get him again, shall have 50 s. reward; and if stolen, for apprehending the thief, and bringing him to justice, 10 l.”

The Mistress is painted on fine wallpaper and a fresh broadside advertising the latest goods from London. She is quite accustomed to the clink of the coins she keeps close to her bosom.

Acrylic paint, seashells, tea bag, beads and feathers on Arches paper.