A piece painted by a 'leading equestrian painter of his time' has sold at auction for £87,500.

Chiswick Auctions has sold 'The Norwich Staghounds' Point-to-Point' by British artists Sir Alfred J. Munnings 1 May from its Old Masters & 19th Century Art collection.

The painting, produced with oil on canvas, features two horse riders in the countryside appearing to go on a hunt while the background features other riders too.

On the lower right of the painting it is signed and dated 'A.J Munnings, 1902'.

The auction house says: "He (Munnings) often depicted scenes of rural life, capturing the English countryside and its traditions.

"He is considered the leading equestrian painter of his time. The spontaneity of the brushswork in the present example reveals a sense of painting in plein air, where his virtuosity is evident.

"With impressionistic vigour, Munnings has filled the composition with a subtle, yet characteristic, nuanced palette."

Sir Alfred Munnings was a 20th century British painter from Suffolk (credit: Chiswick Auctions).

Munnings became famous for his paintings of horses in the early 20th century, encapsulating their power and elegance with great skill and authenticity.

He often depicted scenes of rural life, capturing the English countryside and its traditions. 

Formerly president of the Royal Academy of Arts from 1944 until 1949, Munnings spent most of his time in Suffolk where his parents owned a mill.

He was around horses from a young age and is known to have been a stable hand as a young boy. His exposure to rural life led to his passion and talent for equine portraiture Chiswick House says.

To find out more about this painting and Chiswick Auctions, click here.

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