Huntsman and horse

Pictures of hunts and huntsmen form a large part of Munnings's oeuvre, both in oil and works on paper. He wasn't just an onlooker, but an active participant, and hunting occupied much of his spare time. Living at Church Farm, Swainsthorpe from around 1903 until 1911, Munnings often rode with the Norwich Staghounds, 'Hunting became a part of my life, and I saw many things on those days: bright winter sunlight on clipped horses and scarlet coats; on bare trees, stacks; on farmhouse gables; the riding out after a slight frost; the riding home with a frost beginning and a young moon in the sky; puddles already crisping over as I said good night to friends. Such were needed to freshen my mind and vision' (A.J. Munnings, An Artist's Life, Bungay, 1950, p. 258).