Richard Stone Reeves, 85; Equine Artist Painted Famous Racehorses

Richard Stone Reeves, 85, a leading equine artist who painted more than 2,000 horse portraits, including renowned racehorses Affirmed and Secretariat, died Friday in Greenport, N.Y.

Reeves specialized in classic oil renditions of thoroughbred champions, typically showing them standing in profile against a muted pastoral landscape. His subjects included Dark Star, Genuine Risk, Seattle Slew and Spectacular Bid. Among his patrons were Paul Mellon, Allaire duPont and Harry Guggenheim.

Known for his meticulous preparation and brushwork, Reeves traveled the world to visit his equine subjects, which he would pose for reference sketches and photographs.

“People simply like my style,” he once said. “I manage to show each horse’s individual personality.”

Although most of Reeves’ work is held privately, examples can be seen at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

A descendant of 19th century portrait painter Thomas Sully, Reeves grew up in Garden City, N.Y. He majored in fine arts at Syracuse University and served in naval intelligence during World War II.

His career was launched in 1946 when a former fellow officer who had been impressed with the watercolors Reeves painted during the war -- Robert G. Johnson, president of the landmark Roosevelt Raceway in Westbury, N.Y., now defunct -- commissioned him to do 10 horse paintings.