THE NATIONAL SPORTING LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Spring 2001

EVE PRIME FOUT'S NEW BRONZE FOX SAFEGUARDS THE LIBRARY
by Lisa Campbell, Associate Librarian

As a visitor approached the entrance to the National Sporting Library, a poised shape on the stone wall caught her eye. It's a fox! Stalking its prey; ready to pounce on a hapless morsel.

The startled visitor turned, eyed the fox more closely and realized that it was not a living breathing fox but a beautiful bronze - the latest addition to the National Sporting Library.

Eve Fout, known to the art community as Eve Prime, donated the near life-size fox last month. The Fox is a superb piece inspired by a pen and ink drawing. Eve first sculpted the fox in clay. Her clay figure was then cast in the bronze form using the "lost wax" process at The Equestrian Forge in Leesburg, Va. She applied the final subtle color to the fox.

Two other bronzes by Eve are exhibited within the Library. "The Chaser" is a steeplechase horse and its rider flying a fence. A small fox, leaping for a flushed quail, graces the Founders' Room. Eve, of The Plains, Va., spent most of her career as a professional artist painting fine oil portraits of horses, hounds and regional wildlife. Her affinity for animals and involvement in horse and field sports, gives accuracy and depth to her work. But a few years ago, she switched to creating bronze sculptures. "I started sculpture six years ago when my eyes began to change. I find it very rewarding to work with my hands," she said.

Eve is best known in the equestrian community for her outstanding achievements as a teacher of horsemanship, a supporter of foxhunting and steeplechase racing, and as a proactive land preservationist. But she established herself initially as a talented sporting artist.

Born in New York, she grew up in Virginia hunt country following the hounds of Orange County Hunt since her teen years. Eve loved her horses but believed art was her vocational calling.

"Mom said she didn't care what I did as long as I could make my own way," recalled Eve.

She returned to New York to begin her formal art education as a young adult at the Three Arts Club. But as she told The Chronicle of the Horse, when her sculpture, "A Steeplechaser," ran on the front cover: "In equine art, you must learn more than what is offered at fine institutions like the Art Students League. There is no substitution for working under the people who do it, and I've found horse artists to be very generous in sharing their knowledge."

Never one to do anything second rate, Eve sought out the best in the field of sporting art to learn her craft. She traveled to Long Island to study with Paul Brown at his home. Brown (1893-1958) was perhaps the most prominent illustrator of books on horses over twenty-five years. His precise drawings appear in over 130 fiction and non-fiction books on horses, steeplechase racing, horsemanship, polo, and foxhunting for adults and children alike.

Eve apprenticed in painting with Richard Stone Reeves in New Jersey. A highly respected painter of Thoroughbred portraits, Reeves has captured the beauty of Citation, Kelso, Secretariat, Native Dancer and many more.

She commuted to Maryland to learn more from Franklin B. Voss (1880-1953), a famed sporting artist who painted over 500 private commissions. Another Maryland sporting artist to further Eve's training was Else Tuckerman Biays who studied art at The George Washington University and Corcoran School of Art. She also spent time with Jean Bowman, a distinguished equestrian artist who was commissioned to paint several horses over the years from champion steeplechase horses to field hunters.

Eve deeply appreciated these artists' willingness to help her. She said, "Frank Voss and the others were very generous. They were always willing to help young people."

With a keen understanding of her subjects, Eve's work moved to the forefront early. At the age of 21, one of her first commissioned paintings, "Irish Luck, A Hunting Hunter Sire" was published on the cover of The Chronicle of the Horse. Irish Luck, a Thoroughbred stallion and field hunter, belonged to Albert P. Hinckley, MFH of Old Dominion Hounds (Va.). Eve produced an image of quiet communication with the bridled Irish Luck standing in an open Virginia field with two foxhounds facing him, patiently waiting. To date, her artwork, either oil paintings or sculpture, has graced The Chronicle's cover twenty times.

Her career launched, over the next several decades she painted portraits of famed steeplechase horses, hounds, hunters and other beloved creatures. "Most people would rather have their horse or dog painted than their wife," she noted.

When she married Paul Fout, the duo became a force in the steeplechase and foxhunting community. Paul has trained numerous top horses in both flat and jump racing. Life's Illusion, owned by Virginia Guest and trained by Paul, was the first filly or mare to be recognized as Steeplechase Horse of the Year in 1975. Most recently, Paul saddled Colstar who earned acclaim in 2000 as a multiple-graded stakes winner on the flat.

In 1964, Eve made her mark in steeplechasing when her bay gelding Moon Rock won the thirty-ninth running of the Virginia Gold Cup. She was the first woman trainer in the history of the race to saddle the winner.

But Eve is perhaps best known for her contributions to young people in the community. Inspired by the generosity of mentors in her youth, Eve has returned the favor to untold numbers of blossoming artists and equestrians.

She began right at home with her children Doug, Nina and Virginia. Doug has found great success like his father riding and training steeplechase horses. Nina has a keen interest in sporting art. She rides in point-to-point races and in recent years, she began riding in combined training events. Riding her father's ex-steeplechase horse, 3 Magic Beans, she helped earn the 2000 Olympic Team Bronze in the Three-Day Event Competition. Virginia rides the family horses when she visits from Los Angeles.

Eve organized the Middleburg-Orange County Pony Club in 1959 to teach young riders good horsemanship. To encourage children to learn the joys of foxhunting, she organized the M.O.C Beagles in 1961. The Beagle pack hunts fox, just like their much larger foxhound cousins, but at a slower pace.

Many adults try to join in the fun, but the policy is - they must first be accompanied by a child. Eve, who is master of the pack, said, "The land is always open to a polite child. They learn to lead the pack, and when adults come, they follow behind the kids."

When the American Academy of Equine Art was founded in 1980, Eve was selected as founding member to be part of a core group of important sporting artists to assist in the forming of the organization.

"So many young people needed a center for sporting art," noted Eve.

Eve worked with nine other noted painters and sculptors including Jean Bowman, Richard Stone Reeves, Sam Savitt and Else Tuckerman. The AAEA was modeled after the Royal Academy of England to teach young artists, share creative ideas, and organize exhibits.

Eve has embraced the call to action to preserve Virginia's hunt country. As president of the Piedmont Environmental Council, she has been a driving force behind halting the urban sprawl creeping toward her beloved rolling fields and woodland.

On your next visit the Library, don't be startled by the fox on the front wall. He is a welcome presence to greet our members and guests alike.