William H. Moore Coaching Party

“Judge” William H. Moore (1848-1923) – the tall, stately driver in this scene, showing self-assured skills at four-in-hand road coaching – was a powerful lawyer, financier, and renowned breeder and exhibitor of horses. Moore made his fortune in company mergers during the Gilded Age and used his tremendous wealth on his equestrian passions. In fact, Moore spent twice as much money on his stables and an exercise track for his thoroughbreds as he did on his house at the summer estate “Rockmarge,” at Pride’s Crossing, Massachusetts. The artist of this scene, Herbert Meyer (1882-1960), was a full member of the National Academy of Design and known for his rural landscape paintings and commercial illustrated work.