Sir Alfred James Munnings, P.R.A., R.W.S. (Mendham 1878-1959 Dedham)

Millicent Baron on 'Magpie' was painted in the summer of 1929 and is an exquisite example of Munnings' mastery of both human and equine portraiture. He conveys in Miss Baron's posture both a certain confidence as well as a charming air of youthful innocence. The warm sunlight which radiates off the horse's richly colored coat creates a sense of movement and rhythm through the canvas. Munnings painted this at Fulmer near Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, home of Edward Baron, whose father Bernhard Baron was the Chairman of the great tobacco company Carreras. He befriended the family and stayed with them in Biarritz later that summer which he recalls fondly in his memoirs. Munnings also painted her sister Miss Betty Baron on 'Freckles' which was exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1933, no. 135 (fig. 2).

This work will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of the works of Sir Alfred Munnings being prepared by Lorian Peralta-Ramos.