The Best of British Impressionism

A strong supporter of en plein-air painting, Sir Alfred Munnings, “like the French Impressionist painters, … captures the salient qualities of form while conjuring the dramatic atmosphere of light, air, and colour.” Painted at a site only a few miles from his home, “Langham Mill Pool is an extraordinary example of British Impressionism.”

Christie’s describes the painting:

‘[It is] an almost perfect rendering of the green and gold gaiety of a late spring day, its effects of light and air space seized with an intensity of vision that seemed to make the canvas quiver’ (R. Pound, The Englishman, London, 1962, p 36). … This work more importantly illustrates Munnings’ focus on the animation of nature’s elements and his fascination with capturing its ever-fleeting movement.

With a flurry of brushstrokes, Munnings creates the illusion that the water ripples, the tips of trees and pond grass flutter, and Constable back-lit clouds billow, endlessly altering shape, as the wind blows across the scene. He wielded his brush in an expressive fashion that matched the spontaneity of the moment itself.

Click for Enlarged Image:

Slideshow best viewed At Sunnyside

Details

• Sir Alfred James Munnings, P.R.A., R.W.S. (1878-1959)
• Langham Mill Pool
• signed ‘A.J. MUNNINGS’ (lower right)
• oil on canvas
• 24 x 24 in. (61 x 61 cm.)
• Source: Christie’s
• Link: https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/sir-alfred-james-munnings-pra-rws-langham-6113100-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=6113100&sid=d7e766fd-d075-486b-9bc8-a6d38c22012f

All quotes are from Christie’s   (they credit Lorian Peralta-Ramos for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry).

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Alfred Munnings At Sunnyside

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