The RAF Museum Acquires Two Works by Official War Artist Sir Thomas Monnington at Auction

The Royal Air Force Museum, the national museum dedicated to the history of the RAF, has acquired two works by Sir Thomas Monnington from Roseberys, a London-based auctioneers. The two sketches titled ‘Study for Fighter Affiliation’ and ‘Study for Southern England’ (1944) complement the museum’s other works by the artist which depict airborne training preparations for aerial warfare. 

Both works were previously held in a private collection before being purchased at auction. They are currently displayed in can be seen on the RAF Museum's online Collections web page. 

Sir Thomas Monnington was a leading Official War Artist during WWII. Before his commission, he had logged over 600 hours of flying time and worked for the Ministry of Home Security’s Camouflage Unit, analysing aerial appearances. 

The RAF Museum already holds a small collection of works by Monnington, including an oil painting, and pencil and watercolour studies he made for his Official War Artist commission through the War Artists’ Advisory Committee (WAAC), making these new acquisitions vital for further illuminating the artist’s wartime oeuvre. 

Commissioned by the WAAC between 1943 and 1945, Monnington depicted “the war in the air as seen from the air”, actively proposing to place aircraft “among the clouds” in order to convey the firsthand experience of flight. 

The present works relate closely to the artist’s major wartime compositions, including “Fighter Affiliation: Halifax and Hurricane” and “Southern England: Spitfires Attacking Flying Bombs”. After the war two Fighter Affiliation paintings were transferred to the Air Ministry (now with the RAF Museum) and Imperial War Museums (IWM), and Southern England to the IWM.

The preparatory drawing, “Study for Southern England” was exhibited by The Fine Art Society in their 1997 exhibition ‘Thomas Monnington.’

William Summerfield, Associate Director and Head of Modern British & 20th Century Art at Roseberys, commented: “These beautifully observed works offer a rare insight into how one of Britain’s most important war artists developed his evocative images of aerial combat. Roseberys is thrilled to have contributed to the RAF Museum’s collection of Monnington’s works.” 

High res images available for editorial use here. Please credit Roseberys. 
For media enquiries please contact: aliciaglenn@roseberys.co.uk

Operating in London for more than 30 years, Roseberys Fine Art Auctioneers is a privately owned specialist fine art and antiques auction house and valuers, located in the heart of South London.

The team of world renowned experts and consultants offer both buyers and sellers a range of specialist art market services and a calendar of over 30 specialist auctions a year covering all areas of Asian Arts, Islamic & Indian Art, Jewellery & Watches, Old Master, 18th & 19th Century Art, Modern British & Contemporary British Art, Urban & Contemporary Prints & Multiples, 20th Century Art & Design, Impressionist, Modern, Post War & Contemporary Art and Decorative Arts, Fine & Decorative sales including Silver, Ceramics, Works of Art and Furniture.

In addition to hosting over 30 specialist auctions annually, Roseberys offers single-owner collection sales. Recent highlights include the Mary & Alan Hobart Collection (founders of Pyms Gallery), an Important Private Collection of Chinese Imperial Porcelain and The George Farrow Collection.