Description:

Watercolor Signed, dated 1904. Provenance: Frost and Reed Sotheby's London, December 14, 2017 The back of the infamous Nags Head Inn on Ber Street, Norwich, forms the backdrop to this typically well-observed early Munnings scene. Every Saturday morning the local Norwich community and characters from the surrounding country would come to the fair to buy and sell all manner of items. Continually seeking equestrian models for his pictures, Munnings was a regular at the East Anglian horse fairs. He was an avid observer of the colorful characters in attendance and enjoyed the lively banter of the dealers and their picturesque clothing. Working quickly in watercolor, he was able to capture the spontaneity of the interactions. At this time, free from his years of study at the Norwich School of Art and working long hours in his duties at Page Brothers Lithographers, Munnings was now making a living and enjoying life to the fullest. He had established a reliable source of models among the sometimes less-than-reliable. "Artists in the country have drawn their models from the young, aged, or loafing fraternity not engaged in regular work. And there they were for the asking. They loved posing, and still better, they loved seeing a sovereign or a pint of beer." (An Artist's Life, pages 110-113) The figure standing to the right is wearing a traditional horse dealer's costume with his distinctive black velvet coat pockets. Munnings had one of these made up for his models to wear, and it was featured in several of his finished oils. This evocative and colorful picture so wonderfully brings to life the lively atmosphere of those bustling mornings at Norwich below the towering castle, mornings that would lead to long afternoons and evenings at Nags Head Inn. Sir Alfred James Munnings (British, 1878-1959) One of the two great masters of sporting art along with George Stubbs, Munnings began as an illustrator after attending art school in Norwich. A keen sportsman, he hunted with both stag hounds and harriers, drawing and painting these events. Although he lost sight in one eye at age 21, his unique artistic vision and interpretation were unimpaired. Working in oils and watercolors and sketching wherever he went, Munnings documented racing and hunting horses, gypsies, and the sporting country life that he himself lived.

  • Dimensions: 11 " x 14 "

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipping is at buyer's additional expense. Please refer to the Conditions of Sale.

November 18, 2023 12:00 PM EST
Lexington, KY, US

Cross Gate Gallery

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $499,999:
27.50%
$500,000 - $1,000,000:
22.50%
$1,000,001+:
22.50%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $4,999 $100
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $49,999 $1,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $25,000
$500,000 + $50,000