Sir Alfred J. Munnings (British, 1878-1959)

Studies for Lord Astor's Horses

Details

Sir Alfred J. Munnings (British, 1878-1959)
Studies for Lord Astor's Horses
black lead on paper, twenty three drawings on seventeen mounts, twelve sheets with studies on the recto and eleven with studies on the recto and verso, stored in a mahagony presentation box with a silver plaque and silver corners and handles
5 1/2 x 8in. (140 x 203mm.) (23)

Lot Essay

This group of drawings are studies for Munnings's painting of Lord Astor's Horses, offered as the previous lot in this sale. The painting, dated September 1936, represents three of Lord Astor's horses: Traffic Light, Rhodes Scholar, and Early School. In his book, The Second Burst, published in 1951, Munnings recalls the difficulties he had in arranging the layout of the picture, and refers to the many pencil designs he tried before starting. The present drawings clearly show how Munnings worked out the final compostion of this important commission.

These 34 studies were originally a sketchbook.