"The Jockey Scale" Watercolour by Henry Koehler (1927-2018)

Watercolor and gouache on paper, signed 'Henry Koehler' lower left.

American, 1927-2018

Henry Koehler was an American painter celebrated for his refined depictions of equestrian life, field sports, and animal portraits. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he spent much of his career in Southampton, New York, where his firsthand knowledge of riding, hunting, and sailing informed the authenticity of his work.

A graduate of Yale University, Koehler began as an illustrator for publications such as Sports Illustrated, The New Yorker, and Vogue. In 1961, he shifted focus to painting full time, turning his attention to the visual poetry of jockeys, foxhunting, polo matches, and still life. His style fused the compositional discipline of illustration with a painter’s sensitivity to light and movement.

Koehler’s connection to his subjects was personal as well as professional—he rode, hunted, and sailed himself. His paintings were used in official posters for the Hampton Classic Horse Show over three decades, and in 1974, the U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp featuring his painting to commemorate the 100th running of the Kentucky Derby.

Widely collected and exhibited, Koehler’s work is held in both private and museum collections. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 91, leaving behind a body of work that reflects the elegance of tradition and the thrill of sport.

Art Sz: 23"H x 18"W

Frame Sz: 32"H x 28"W

Provenance: Princess Fredericka Ann Guirey, Lyford Cay, Nassau

Princess Fredericka “Bo” Guirey lived an unapologetically glamourous life. Called a “supersonic jetsetter” by the British tabloids in the 60’s, she at one time had residences in London’s Belgrave Square, a country estate in Ireland, and then inherited the famous Sigrist House in Nassau from her mother, Lady Ormerod. Bo was the daughter of Sir Frederick Sigrist, a British aviation pioneer in the early 20th century, and a founding member of Hawker Siddeley, who developed the famous Spitfire and the 1 ½ Strutter whose prototype was the “Sigrist Bus”, among others. It was widely speculated that Sigrist was one of the top ten wealthiest people in the world during his lifetime.

Sigrist House was built in 1937 in Nassau by the architects Schoepell and Voivesky, an American and English design team. The interiors were largely furnished by the notable British firm of Mallett Antiques on New Bond Street, London. The gardens at Sigrist House were considered among the finest in the West Indies. The house is Spanish Colonial in architecture, but the interiors decidedly English. The Georgian style paneling of the drawing room is of rare white mahogany, built in London to specification, as was the beautiful hand-carved pine paneling in the library. The walls of the house were hung with Old Master landscapes, seascapes and floral still life paintings. 

Sigrist House was the setting for many glamorous parties, the seating charts were precise, the flowers in abundance and cocktails flowed for many decades. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor were among some of the royal guests to stay at Sigrist House. The Windsors camped out there for months in 1940 while the Governor’s Mansion was being redecorated to the Duchess’s liking.

Princess Guirey was raised in London, Nassau and Monte Carlo. After receiving her inheritance in the late 50’s the world was her oyster. Her first marriage was brief, followed by her second marriage to Irish film director Kevin McClory at age 22. McClory directed and produced several James Bond films, including Thunderball and Never Say Never Again. Slim Aarons took the iconic photograph of the stylish Bo and her family riding in the amphicar across the harbor in Nassau. It is symbolic of the extravagant life she led; capricious, fun-loving and always on the go.

Princess Guirey’s third marriage was to Prince Azamat Guirey (1924-2001). Prince Azamat was born in New York, educated at Yale University and spent many years with the stock brokerage firm of Burnham & Co. The Prince’s title is a Khanate of the Crimea, which was formed in 1449 as an independent state by clans of the Mongolian Golden Horde. The Prince’s prestigious ancestors include Haci Giray who became the first ruler of that region and was said to be a decedent of the 11th generation of Genghis Khan (1162-1227), the founder of the Mongolian Empire. The couple lived at Garretstown House in Dunshaughlin, Ireland, London and Nassau.

Princess Guirey’s Nassau home was a mixture of antiques, paintings and decorations from Sigrist House, combined with exotic pieces from Anthony Redmile’s shop in London and David Linley’s bespoke creations made specifically for her. Tables were laden with frogs of varying sizes and materials, such as jade, hardstone, crystal, as well as silver examples from Aspreys. The Princess once was quoted as saying that she had to kiss a lot of frogs to find her prince. Juxtaposing an Orville Bulman painting over a gilded Georgian table with the Linley parquetry screen, her interiors, like her life, reflected her proper British upbringing and the carefree air of the West Indies.

The last few decades of Princess Guirey’s life were spent in Ireland and Nassau.