- 103
Sir Alfred James Munnings, P.R.A., R.W.S.
Description
- Crossing the Ford
- signed A.J. Munnings and dated 1909 (lower right)
- oil on canvas
- 19 by 29 1/2 in.
- 48.3 by 75 cm
Provenance
Acquired from the above, October, 1969
Exhibited
Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, Brandy Wine River Museum, Alfred J. Munnings from Regional Collections, June 7 - September 1, 2008
Condition
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."
Catalogue Note
As ponies splashed through the water, the movement broke the lines in the current which, in turn, generated swirling ripples and a dance of flickering light and color. In the present work, the water reflects the unseen grey sky which casts a blue-grey hue on the ponies' coats. Munnings carried the tone throughout the painting making the work a cohesive whole.
Crossing the Ford shows Munnings' favorite groom leading the horses through the water. In An Artist's Life, Munnings describes him as a young man who "slept under the caravan with the dogs, and had no family of his own, no family ties, no parents that he knew. This son of the wild went by the name of Shrimp... little did I dream that he would one day become for me an indispensible model, an inspiring rogue, and an annoying villain... He was a paintable figure... and the best model I ever had" (Munnings, p. 207, 211, 217).