Dod Shaw (Later Mrs Dod Procter, 1881-1972) on Patrick
Munnings became well-known for his exceptional depiction of horses, particularly in racing and hunting scenes. He joined the artists’ colony in Lamorna, Cornwall, in 1908 where he painted this monumental work en plein air.
Dod (Doris) Proctor (née Shaw) was studying with Stanhope and Elizabeth Forbes at Newlyn and went on to become a well-known figure painter and Royal Academician herself. Dod was described as “modern, argumentative and opinionated” and here she sits astride her horse rather than side saddle. Her painting Morning was voted ‘Picture of the Year’ at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 1927 and can be seen at Tate Britain.
Munnings was an outspoken critic of Modernism and his appointment as President of the Royal Academy in 1944 turned out to be very controversial. In a drunken after-dinner speech, which was being broadcast live, he berated the art establishment and ranted against modern art, including ‘those foolish daubers, Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso’ whose influence had defiled the British tradition. While he received considerable public support, he was ostracised from the art world and resigned the presidency to make ‘a joyous return to painting’.
This painting was a gift to the Russell Cotes in 1956 by the artist, because of the sympathetic way he felt his work had been exhibited here previously.
