SIR ALFRED JAMES MUNNINGS, P.R.A., R.W.S. (BRITISH, 1878-1959)
Study for 'Going to the Post'
Important information about this lot
Estimate
GBP 50,000 - GBP 70,000
Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
Closed: 15 Jul 2022
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SIR ALFRED JAMES MUNNINGS, P.R.A., R.W.S. (BRITISH, 1878-1959)
The present work is a study for Going to the Post, which is itself a study for Going to the Start, 1947 (exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1948, no. 18). Other similar studies exist featuring the same central horse with rider.
The 1940s were a busy decade for Munnings, his output was prodigious and there was a ready market for his work. His name was put forward for the presidency of the Royal Academy and if elected his name would be in the Birthday Honours List. Munnings beat Augustus John into second place by twenty-four votes to seventeen. When he heard he had been elected he shouted,'I feel like riding along Piccadilly on a horse. What a go!' (see J. Goodman, What a Go!, London, 1988, p. 221).
When this picture was sold in 1961 it was one side of a double-sided work on panel. Soon afterwards the panel was divided so that each side was a separate picture. The whereabouts of the other painting, A Grey Horse saddled, is unknown.
We are grateful to Lorian Peralta-Ramos, the Curatorial staff at The Munnings Museum and Tristram Lewis for their assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.
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Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
THIS CONDITION REPORT HAS BEEN PREPARED BY HAMISH DEWAR FINE ART CONSERVATION, IN THE CHRISTIE'S WAREHOUSE FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS SALE.
Structural condition
The artist's panel is structurally sound and the near-horizontal split in the panel, which is 5 cm below the upper horizontal framing edge, is secure, as is a further diagonal repair running across from the lower left vertical edge towards the lower horizontal edge. There is also evidence of repairs to the right vertical edge of the panel. No further structural intervention is required at this time.
Paint surface
The paint surface has a reasonably even varnish layer. The repaired splits in the panel mentioned above have only been partially filled and retouched and are visible in raking light. The upper horizontal split could certainly be made less visible if it were to be filled and minimally retouched. Inspection under ultra violet light shows a thin line of retouchings along the lower repaired split, small scattered retouchings in the upper left, and in the upper right corner, and retouchings in the repair, to the right vertical edge. There are other scattered retouchings.
Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in stable condition having been structurally treated and would benefit from further minor retouching of some of the splits, if required.
Cost calculator
Lot 148Sale 21037
Study for 'Going to the Post'SIR ALFRED JAMES MUNNINGS, P.R.A., R.W.S. (BRITISH, 1878-1959)Estimate: GBP 50,000 - 70,000
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