Tuesday, March 28, 2023

The War Art Of An Impressionist

As noted yesterday, Alfred Munnings would be part of the exhibition of Canadian war art following the First World War. This photograph below shows the exhibit in Toronto, showing some of the art, including a dramatic canvas that is part of the Museum's collection, but rarely shown. It's called The Flag, by Byam Shaw, and depicts the grief of those who are left to mourn the dead of war. I've featured it before- check out the museum link for another look.


Aside from painting, Munnings would sketch a lot- items that would later end up transferred onto the canvas. These two are examples: Portrait Of Canadian Officer, Lt. Maclachlan La Bergement and Canadian Officer.


A wider view of the exhibit.


We come towards the end, dominated by a large unfinished canvas, Watering Horses Near Domart.


A quote by Munnings acknowledges the importance of the war in what he did for the rest of his life.


Two portraits hang to the right of the big canvas, depicting two men and their horses. Brigade-Major Geoffrey Brooke, DSO is at top, while at bottom is Le Comte d'Etchegoyen, depicting a French interpreter and officer seconded to the Canadian Cavalry Brigade.


Here we see the large canvas itself. It is clear that it's not finished, but much of the work is there.


Munnings, it seems, enjoyed his time with Canadian soldiers, with his quote on this panel speaking to that.


Two last paintings to end this series. At top is Captain Prince Antoine of Orleans and Braganza, depicting a deposed member of the French royal family, who served with the British and the Canadians. At bottom is an unfinished painting, A Canadian Trooper And His Horse.

42 comments:

  1. Thank you for introducing me to the work of Munnings this week.

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  2. These paintings don't look at all impressionist to me ! They painted outside had only the primary colors, maybe it was the beginning.

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    1. I think he had started as an Impressionist pre-war, but maintained the style even in wartime and afterwards. He certainly didn't like modernism.

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  3. Hello,
    It is a nice exhibit of Munnings art work. Take care, have a great day!

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  4. ...war and art doesn't seem like a good mix for me.

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  5. Un fascinante tipo de pintura, bien aplicado por el artista.

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  6. To echo Tom's comment above, war doesn't seem like a good mix with anything.

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  7. Alfred Munnings was known as one of England's finest painters of horse, but I hadn't realised before that he had been in France painting so many fine images which record for us today the terrible plight of the Canadian soldiers and their horses.
    Referring to Tom's comment - I tend to agree, but having a record of terrible events throughout history reminds us all today of the sacrifices that have made by man and beast from the past, however, one that is still sadly happening today.

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    1. Sorry I don't know why I suddenly appeared as anonymous.

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    2. I'm still surprised I hadn't heard of him before.

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    3. And Blogger keeps doing weird things.

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  8. Another great art display ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  9. The Flag painting tugs at the heart.

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  10. A wonderful exhibition of Munning's art work

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  11. That's very interesting to leave the exhibit with an unfinished painting. I think that's very eloquent. I'm interesting artist. Thank you William. God bless Canada

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  12. Thank you for sharing these beautiful paintings and the information about the Canadian War Art exhibition. It's always fascinating to see how artists have captured the emotions and experiences of war through their art.

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  13. Love that header. Man! What a lot of tulips!

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  14. The unfinished canvas is still fabulous. I like the view through the gallery and how they presented the unfinished canvas also.

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  15. One can imagine the influence of war on the rest of one’s life.

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  16. I am not sure if I have ever seen any of his paintings at the AGO.

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    1. I don't recall any of his work at the National Gallery either.

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  17. It was such a different time. Now we've in the moment photos and videos. Sadly.

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    1. And yet we do get war art out of the contemporary era.

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  18. He's so very good. And I don't know that I would have ever known of him without your introduction.

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