Charles Bentley Henry Alken R.A. Ackermann

The collaboration between artist Charles Bentley, designer Henry Alken, and the prominent London publisher R.A. Ackermann specialized in producing detailed prints documenting early 19th-century British sporting life. Their joint activity is specifically documented around 1830, a key period for the proliferation of narrative prints depicting equestrian events, particularly steeplechases.

The majority of their represented output details the famous "Grand Leicestershire Steeplechase." Today, a collective eight of these Charles Bentley Henry Alken R.A. Ackermann prints are held in major museum collections, establishing the historical significance of their work. The prints capture the intense narrative progression of the race through various scenes of success and failure. Notable works from this sequence include A Rich Scene, from Grand Leicestershire Steeplechase, Climax of Disaster, from Grand Leicestershire Steeplechase, and the highly dramatic Dick Christian's Last Fall, from Grand Leicestershire Steeplechase. Other subjects, such as Going the Pace and Symptoms of Distress, further illustrate the rigor of the steeplechase event.

The documented works are represented in significant North American institutions, including the Art Institute of Chicago. These historical scenes, often available today as high-quality prints, contribute valuable documentation of 19th-century sporting culture. As much of the material is now in the public domain, these detailed images remain accessible for study and appreciation.