Sir Alfred Munnings- Brilliant British Painter
Sir Alfred Munings is one of my favorite artists. He has a lose impressionist style reminiscent of John Singer Sargent which I find to be exquisite.
An avid equestrian most of his life, he was very sociable and mingled with the British Aristocracy.
unfinished work
As a young man at the turn of the 20th century, Munnings was fascinated by the vagabond existence of the gypsies and travellers he met while exploring the country on horseback.
Their unconventional lifestyle and brightly coloured clothes and wagons inspired many of his early pictures.
His sporting art works have enjoyed popularity in the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere. As of 2007, the highest price paid for a Munnings painting was $7,848,000 for The Red Prince Mare, shown above, far above his previous auction record of $4,292,500 set at Christie’s in December 1999. It was one of four works by Munnings in the auction. The Red Prince Mare is a 40 by 60 inches (100 by 150 cm) oil on canvas that was executed in 1921 and had an estimate of $4,000,000 to $6,000,000.
Portrait of a young Munnings
munnings
Engaged by Lord Beaverbrook's Canadian War Memorials Fund, he earned several prestigious commissions after the Great War that made him wealthy. Between 1912 and 1914 he was a member of the Newlyn School of artists. His work was part of the art competitions at the 1928 Summer Olympics, the 1932 Summer Olympics, and the 1948 Summer Olympics.
Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959) a prominent British painter, best known for equestrian and sporting art.. Born on October 8, 1878, in Mendham, Suffolk, Munnings developed a deep passion for horses and the English countryside. This passion and enthusiasm from an early age, greatly influenced his artistic career.
The first quarter of the 20th century saw Munnings paint in predominantly watercolor of which he was a master!
Munnings was a member of both the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour and the Royal Society of Watercolour Painters. A similar watercolour - The End of the Day - of a head-on view of a huntsman returning home was exhibited at National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Saratoga, NY in 1999.
Munnings' profound connection with horses led him to become one of the preeminent equestrian painters of his time.
Munnings trained at the Norwich School of Art and later the Royal Academy in London. He honed his skills in capturing the essence and movement of horses, making him renowned in the world of equestrian art.
. Depicting horses, riders, and “horsey” set culture of the English countryside, his paintings captured the majesty of these beautiful animals.
Munnings was elected as a full member of the Royal Academy in 1919.
His art also was in demand as well in the United States, where he held several successful exhibitions.
In the rich tapestry of British art, the name Sir Alfred Munnings stands as a beacon of exceptional talent and dedication to capturing the essence of equine beauty on canvas.
Sir Alfred Munnings' artistic legacy continues to resonate within the art community to this day. His paintings, brimming with vibrant colors, spirited brushwork, and an undeniable love for his subjects, serve as a timeless tribute to the majesty of horses. Munnings' influence extends beyond his technical prowess, inspiring countless artists to explore the captivating world of equestrian art.
A strong supporter of en plein-air painting, Sir Alfred Munnings, “like the French Impressionist painters, … captures the salient qualities of form while conjuring the dramatic atmosphere of light, air, and colour.” Painted at a site only a few miles from his home, “Langham Mill Pool is an extraordinary example of British Impressionism.” The painting is below.
"The painting presents an exquisite portrayal of the vibrant colors and joyful atmosphere of a late spring day. Its masterful depiction of light and open space captures the essence of the scene with such intensity that the canvas appears to tremble with life" (R. Pound, The Englishman, London, 1962, p 36).
Through swift and dynamic brushstrokes, Sir Alfred Munnings achieves a remarkable effect, evoking the illusion of water rippling, trees and pond grass gently swaying, and clouds billowing in ever-changing forms against a backdrop reminiscent of John Constable's atmospheric landscapes. His expressive technique perfectly matches the spontaneity and fleeting nature of the moment he sought to capture.
Munnings' profound connection with nature is evident in this work, as he skillfully animates its elements, infusing them with a sense of movement and vitality. With each stroke, he breathes life into the scene, engaging the viewer in a symphony of colors and motion. It is a testament to Munnings' unwavering fascination with nature's transient beauty and his ability to seize its essence on canvas.
In this piece, Munnings' artistry transcends the mere representation of a landscape; it becomes a testament to the perpetual dance of light, air, and natural forces. The painting's energy invites us to immerse ourselves in the scene, to witness the ever-changing play of nature's elements, and to appreciate the profound beauty that exists in these transient moments.
Munnings' brushwork is a testament to his artistic genius and his dedication to capturing the fleeting essence of the world around him. It is through his expressive and spontaneous technique that he invites us to experience the magic of that late spring day, to feel the breeze rustling through the trees and the sun's warm touch upon our skin.
With each brushstroke, Sir Alfred Munnings channels the vitality and movement of nature, immortalizing a moment that is both fleeting and eternal. In his hands, the canvas becomes a living testament to the beauty and dynamism of the natural world, an invitation to appreciate the ever-changing spectacle that unfolds before our eyes.
Tagg’s Island 1919. Although its hard to pick just one, this is one of my absolute favorites.
His style is reminiscent of John Singer Sargent. They were certainly contemporaries. Sargent was born in England as well but to American parents.
Painted in 1919 at the beginning of the carefree jazz age- this painting looks like it could be in the front lawn of Jay Gatsby himself. It however is in England rather than the site of the luxurious mansion owned by Gatsby on Long Island.
The spontaneity, the brushwork, the looseness and suggestion of motion gives the viewer the feeling of being right there in the middle of the action.
Jogging ON. 14 x 20. Sir Alfred Munnings. Oil
“Munnings often used his own horses and groom as models and this horse, Patrick, despite his cropped tail and banged mane, was a particular favourite. On this grey day, the artist used a subdued palette yet adds life and brightness by juxtaposing the scarlet of the huntsman’s jacket with the close vivid hues of green making each colour more vibrant. As a result, the central figures of horse and rider, as they are also painted in sharper focus, emerge from the background. This use of optical effects was a hallmark of his style even early in his career.”
On New Year's Day, 1945, Sir Alfred Munnings received the crowning achievement of his career when he was knighted by King George VI at Buckingham Palace. The knighthood bestowed upon him was not only a recognition of his extraordinary artistic achievements but also a testament to his unwavering dedication to the arts.
"Hunting became part of my life, and I saw many things on those days: bright winter sunlight on clipped horses and scarlet coats; on bare trees; stacks; on farmhouse gables; the riding out after a slight frost; the riding home with a frost beginning and a young moon in the sky; puddles already crisping over as I said good night to friends. Such were needed to freshen my mind and vision (An Artist's Life, p. 258).
In the rich tapestry of British art, the name Sir Alfred Munnings stands as a beacon of exceptional talent and dedication to capturing the essence of equine beauty on canvas. Known for his mastery of equestrian portraiture, Munnings became a celebrated figure in the art world.
Munnings' profound connection with horses led him to become one of the preeminent equestrian painters of his time. His ability to capture the spirit, grace, and power of these magnificent creatures on canvas garnered him widespread recognition. Munnings' artistic brilliance elevated the genre of equestrian painting, transforming it into a respected form of art.
His paintings became highly sought after, with his commissions coming from notable figures, including royalty, aristocrats, and distinguished collectors. Munnings' ability to breathe life into his subjects, conveying their character and vitality, earned him admiration and acclaim. His masterful depictions of horses in motion, at rest, or in the heat of competition remain a testament to his unrivaled talent.
Line em up. OIL. 19 x 23 1940-1953
