13th Jul, 2024 9:30 GMT/BST
British, European & Sporting Art
1054
Sir Alfred Munnings KCVO, PRA, RI (1878-1959)
"Lord Astor on shooting stick with horses"
Signed (twice), indistinctly inscribed verso, oil on board, 30cm by 50cm
This work is a preparatory sketch for "A Summer Evening at Cliveden, Waldorf Astor, Second Viscount Astor (1879-1952), Seated" circa 1910, which is held in the Clivedon Estate, Buckinghamshire (NT766107)
The painting depicts Lord Astor seated on a stick with his trainer, Mr William Guy. The horses depicted in the work are named and include (mare and foal left to right) Light Sentence and Probation, Flash Point and On Fire, Quick Rise and Niblick, Point Duty and Road Patrol, Instantaneous and Hasty Shot.
Exhibited: "British Council Fine Arts Committee"
Provenance: Sotheby's, Important British Pictures, July 1st 2004, Lot 26
Private Collection, UK
Sold for £80,000
Estimated at £80,000 - £100,000
Slight knocks/distortions to the corners of the composite board visible down the corners of the frame, with associated very minor losses of paint and ground. No cracking to the paint and ground evident, all stable.
A few minor incised stratches and nicks, some of which appear to have been made when the paint was not fully dry. Including bottom right corner, and at the right edge above the horses' heads.
Several areas of dirty dark marks, notably in the sky and in the grass mid-left. Futher light brown splashes and marks, and a number of flyspots (see images).
When looking at the picture in reflected light, the surface gloss in uneven, with a brushy matt appearance (see images). Possibly unvarnished, or a very light brushy varnish partially removed? There are also numerous small matt splash marks.
Examined in Frame
Auction: British, European & Sporting Art, 13th Jul, 2024
Sir Alfred Munnings is rightly celebrated as the master of equine art; his lifelong affinity with the horse is reflected in his insightful and vital equine portraits that capture the grace and power of the animals, and his “Lord Astor on Shooting Stick with Horses” will be sold in the British, European and Sporting Art Sale on 13th July. The painting is a sketch for “A Summer Evening at Cliveden, Waldorf Astor, Second Viscount Astor (1879-1952), seated”, which is held in the Cliveden Estate Collection in Buckinghamshire, now managed by the National Trust. From the same private collection is a watercolour by Munnings; “In the Woods Near Noyon 1918 Attack. Our Retreat” was executed whilst the artist was serving in the First World War with the Canadian Cavalry.
An engaging portrait sketch by the renowned George Romney, which has been in the same family collection since it was painted, will also be offered. The sketch depicts Caesar Hawkins and is thought to have been executed in preparation for a full-length portrait of Caesar, his sister Louisa Anne, and their mother Emma Hawkins (née Adair), which was once in the collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Four works by one of the leading Victorian equestrian artists, Heywood Hardy are also on offer, hailing from two private collections.
Viewing
Sunday 7th July to Friday 12th July 11am-4pm and morning of sale from 8am
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