A to Z of artists Cordrey, John 1765 - 1825

No details are known of the life of John Cordrey.  Most of the coaches he painted travelled from London to one or another part of the country, so it is tempting to think he was London based, but this can only be surmise.  He painted almost exclusively pictures of coaches, which are drawn architecturally as though he may have been a coach designer; the paintings are primitive but full of exacting detail and quality and the horses are invariably in step with one another.  His composition varies little, the horses are always travelling from right to left across the canvas, and are usually silhouetted against the sky.  To the right of the picture is usually a tall, distinctive tree, having a long trunk with two or three clumps of leaves above.  To the left of the coach is a smaller tree or hill to balance the picture and a milestone and a dog are often included.  His coachmen wear enormous hats that look as though they will drop over their eyes at any moment. 

Hunting scenes have also been discovered, but these are most unusual.  Cordrey normally signed his work.  Only paintings in oils are recorded.  His colours are clear with often a strong blue sky and the overall effect is of a sharp clear flat design.

Source: The Dictionary of British Equestrian Artists by Sally Mitchell (1985), published by the Antique Collectors’ Club.