John Dalby of York (1810-1865) Group portrait of Lord Durham, Ralph Lambton and Billy Williamson riding to a meet (by repute) Signed, oil on canvas, 29cm by 44 All three men were members of northern hunts and enthusiastic Meltonians. Ralph Lambton, son of William Lambton (one of the first Meltonians), was a particularly celebrated hunting figure: in 1795 he took over the pack assembled by his brother, Henry Lambton and from 1809 he hunted hounds himself. Roger Longrigg commented: 'He lived at the kennels and, like Lord Darlington, practically in them' (The History of Foxhunting, 1975, p.108). Both George Lambton, 2nd Earl of Durham, and Ralph Lambton were also patrons of John Ferneley, who depicted Ralph Lambton and Billy Williamson (brother of Sir Hedworth Williamson, M.P. for Durham) with the Sedgefield Hunt in 1832 (Thirsk Hall, North Yorkshire). An almost identical version of this painting was sold at Christie's, Sale 7936, Lot 1, 2007 for £18,000