The Royal Carriage entering the Long Walk, Windsor on the Return from the Ascot Races,...

Sir Alfred James Munnings, RA (Medham 1878 – Dedham 1959). Oil painting on canvas, The Royal Carriage Entering the Long Walk, Windsor on the Return from the Ascot Races, 1925 by Sir Alfred James Munnings, RA (Medham 1878 – Dedham 1959), 1925 signed: A. J. Munnings. In the open Royal Carriage are King George V, Queen Mary and two princes. The carriage is being drawn by four Windsor Greys and is entering the Long Walk, Windsor Great Park, on the return from Ascot Races in 1925.A large picture on this subject was painted in the summer of 1925 from recollections of the royal processions on the four days of Ascot races, coupled with the painting of individual elements of the compositions from the life in Windsor Park, the picture being painted a part at a time. Only the finishing off was done in the artist's studio. A number of changes were made in the background and in the position of the signature between the work's first showing in the late 1920s and its purchase in 1937. The painting (10 feet long) is now in the Tate Gallery. This large painting was preceded by a preliminary version in which the procession is seen from slightly ahead and the trees extend farther across the background. This is the picture in Anglesey Abbey.These works arose from a commission from Queen Mary which resulted in the painting of another Ascot scene The Procession crossing the Park. Also shown at the R.A. was The Royal Carriage waiting for Their Majesties at Duke’s Lane, Windsor Park, on Ascot Gold Cup Day. Signed A.J. Munnings. Label on frame 'The Return from Ascot entering the Long Walk, Windsor Great Park. A.J. Munnings RA 1925. Exhibited at the Royal Academy 1926, Exhibited at Norwich Castle Museum 1928. Exhibited at the British Council Exhibition at Hertford House 1940. Exhibited at Burlington House 1956.' Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire (Accredited Museum)