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Lot Essay
As much as Munnings hated commissions, he approached the work with seriousness and enthusiasm. He would make numerous studies of the horse in order to become acquainted with the horse's character as he considered every equine subject an individual not only in looks but also in personality. He would study the horse in a stall and in the open air exploring the contours under various light conditions. His detail studies of the head enabled the artist to gain insight into the distinctive expression that he wished to capture for the particular occasion.
It is probable that this is a study for the painting 'Silvo with Percy Whittaker Up' (The Santa Anita Collection: Ten Highly Important Paintings by Sir Alfred J. Munnings from the Los Angeles Turf Club; Sotheby's, New York, 1 December 1998, lot 8 (sold for $305,000)). Silvo was a bay gelding foaled in 1916 by Minter out of Ever True. He was bred by Mr M. Dawson and trained by Captain Percival Whittaker (1870-1944). Whittaker was a successful amateur jockey and rode Silvo to victory in the 1923 Champion Chase at Liverpool. Silvo won the Grand Sefton, Liverpool (1923) and the Grand International at Sandown (1925). Silvo ridden by Whittaker was third in the 1924 Grand National and third in the Gold Cup in 1927.
The horse in this study wears a snaffle racing bridle without a noseband. The reins are pulled taut and held high which match the portrait of Silvo and Whittaker. Even in this study, Whittaker restrains the horse whose eagerness is revealed by the intent expression. Silvo has a bright eye and pricked ears indicative of his keenness and 'heart' for racing.
In this study, Munnings has rendered the reflected light from above as blue tones on the head and neck. This could only have been achieved by painting en plein air. The sun's rays illuminate the horse's head articulating the contours that makes this horse an individual.
We are grateful to Lorian Peralta-Ramos for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.
It is probable that this is a study for the painting 'Silvo with Percy Whittaker Up' (The Santa Anita Collection: Ten Highly Important Paintings by Sir Alfred J. Munnings from the Los Angeles Turf Club; Sotheby's, New York, 1 December 1998, lot 8 (sold for $305,000)). Silvo was a bay gelding foaled in 1916 by Minter out of Ever True. He was bred by Mr M. Dawson and trained by Captain Percival Whittaker (1870-1944). Whittaker was a successful amateur jockey and rode Silvo to victory in the 1923 Champion Chase at Liverpool. Silvo won the Grand Sefton, Liverpool (1923) and the Grand International at Sandown (1925). Silvo ridden by Whittaker was third in the 1924 Grand National and third in the Gold Cup in 1927.
The horse in this study wears a snaffle racing bridle without a noseband. The reins are pulled taut and held high which match the portrait of Silvo and Whittaker. Even in this study, Whittaker restrains the horse whose eagerness is revealed by the intent expression. Silvo has a bright eye and pricked ears indicative of his keenness and 'heart' for racing.
In this study, Munnings has rendered the reflected light from above as blue tones on the head and neck. This could only have been achieved by painting en plein air. The sun's rays illuminate the horse's head articulating the contours that makes this horse an individual.
We are grateful to Lorian Peralta-Ramos for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.