Johnathan Hallgrey Is 2015 Hampton Classic Poster Artist

“The Three Hunters,” a 1987 oil pastel painting by New York artist Johnathan Hallgrey, has been selected as the poster art for the Hampton Classic Horse Show, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

Hampton Classic posters are coveted collector’s items and many artists vie to get their work on a poster.

Hallgrey’s artwork was previously featured on the book cover of Hallgrey’s Sir Thomas Tattletale’s Equestrian Counting Book.

“It’s a great honor and privilege to have been chosen to join the ranks of outstanding equestrian art representing The Hampton Classic Horse Show,” said Hallgrey, who is an equestrian himself and rides both English and Western styles of riding. “I remember admiring one of the posters as a child while visiting my aunt in New Haven. I thought it was just magnificent!”

Hallgrey is self-trained, having traveled throughout Europe in the 1980s admiring the art and architecture. He returned to New York City and worked for the Museum of Modern Art in books and posters. Drawing on his artful surroundings for inspiration, Hallgrey created images reminiscent of people and places he enjoyed reading about as a child and abroad.
Hallgrey has a compilation of equestrian drawings that feature hunters, Polo, jockeys—and even a Zebra.

“I was inspired by the graceful stillness of the equine and the exquisite equestrian attire of dressage and hunt fashions,” Hallgrey said. “My equestrian style paintings were inspired by the ancient art of the Egyptians and Etruscans combined with a Modern French Art Deco theme.”

His pieces have been acquired by Hugh Jackman, Toni Braxton, Christopher Lloyd, William Hurt, Barry Bostwick, Elisabeth von Trapp, Sarah Ferguson, HRH Princess Chantal of France and Baron Francoise de Sambucy and his artwork can be seen at of Rockefeller Center, Morell Wine Bar and Café, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros. Pictures and Universal Studios, among many other venues.