λ CLAUDE MUNCASTER (BRITISH 1903-1974), LOW WATER: BANKSIDE

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λ CLAUDE MUNCASTER (BRITISH 1903-1974)LOW WATER: BANKSIDEWatercolour on two joined sheetsIndistinctly signed (lower left)45 x 141cm (17½ x 55½in.)Muncaster's association and friendship with Sir William McAlpine had started at the end of the 1950s when he was commissioned by Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons to paint a series of large industrial subjects. The first of these was the new atomic power station to be built at Bradwell- coincidentally designed by Lady McAlpine's father. With the success of these initials paintings further commissions followed- dry dock construction; hospital buildings and iron works. These were demanding works- necessities of rough drafts for approval, and the sheer hard work of realistically depicting the scaffold poles, stagings and cranes. In all this hard work his son records that he found pleasure in the friendships he build with 'Billy' McAlpine and his brother Alastair. (The Wind in the Oak, Martin Muncaster, Robin Garton, 1978).Claude Muncaster was another family friend whose son Martin was a regular visitor to Fawley Hill. I think we had, at one time, the largest single collection of works by Claude Muncaster in the world. To my great regret I sold a lot of small sketches a few years ago.He was prolific and most of the pictures we bought were of boats and angry seas made while he was sailing round the world on cargo-carrying sailing ships. At least two of those now for sale were painted on the old bit of sail that covered his bunk because he had run out of canvas and was desperate to capture the moment. I didn't meet him. I wish I had. He clearly had that passion and intensity and zest for life that was so evident in David Shepherd and Terry Cuneo. It shows in his work. His son was adorable, in awe of his father's talent; and I miss him too. Lady McAlpine.

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