John Gregory King

John King or John Gregory King (16 April 1929 – 8 September 2014) was an English painter, considered a leading sporting artist of the post war era. His works stretched from military and ceremonial occasions, to horse and hound portraits, and hunting scenes.

Early life

King was born in West Tytherley in Hampshire to Arthur Gregory King and Dorothy (née Greenman). They ran a farm on which John would occasionally work as he was growing up. From 1966 onward he held at least ten 'one man exhibits' and many shared exhibits. His magnum opus was a commission for Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, Vice-President of the UAE and Emir of Dubai, which comprised a 16 ft by 8 ft painting of 'Dubai Millennium', the Sheikh's racehorse and winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. The painting was considered to be the largest equestrian painting produced in the UK for at least 200 years. Other high-profile patrons included the Dukes of Beaufort and Northumberland, Household Cavalry, City of London Livery Companies and Tattersalls bloodstock auctioneers.