A bay hunter in a stable

Munnings's most productive period of working in watercolor was between 1903 and 1913. By mid-1920's he had practically ceased to work in this medium. The fashion for docked tails as seen here disappeared in the first decade of the twentieth century which most probably dates the work to between 1903 and 1910. It is possible that this is a watercolor version of Gamecock (Anon. Sale; Christie's, London, 4 November 1983, lot 141). Gamecock was the property of Munnings' friend Dick Bullard of Catton who often found horses for Munnings to buy.

This work will be included in Lorian Peralta-Ramos's forthcoming catalogue raisonné of the works by Sir Alfred Munnings.