In 1892, aged fourteen, Alfred Munnings moved from his home village of Mendham in Suffolk to the city of Norwich. He was apprenticed for six years to the lithographic printers Page Bros. & Co., Ltd. Here he learnt to design advertisements and posters and undertook work for successful local companies such as Colman’s Mustard and Caley’s Crackers.
In 2022 the museum presents a vibrant display of Munnings’ lesser known commercial designs, posters, black and white pictures and early paintings. The exhibition focusses on the early influences on a young Munnings and his ability to capture the popular aesthetic of La Belle Epoque.
Experience highlights from the exhibition in this Art UK Curation.
Lady with a Rose 1899
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Poster colour on paper
H 269.3 x W 99 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
Flower Girl, Violets c.1904
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Oil on canvas
H 35.6 x W 45.7 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
Design for an Advert, 'Colman's Mustard' 1890s
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Poster colour on paper
H 27.5 x W 43 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
Study of a Plaster Cast, 'Camellia' 1893
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Sepia wash on paper
H 38 x W 28 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
Lorna Doone c.1898
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Pastel on paper
H 36 x W 17 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
Design for a Box Top, 'Caley's Cycling Crackers' c.1898
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Poster colour on paper
H 25 x W 20 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
Cassie Jeweller 1909
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Oil on canvas
H 163 x W 87 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
Design for a Poster, 'Caley's Art Crackers' c.1898
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Lithograph
H 73 x W 100 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
Design for a Poster, 'Caley's Crackers' 1890s
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Lithograph
H 56 x W 44 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
Design for a Box Top, 'Caley's Deep Sea Crackers' 1890s
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Lithograph
H 22.5 x W 19.5 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
Pierrette (Reclining Lady) 1898
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Poster colour on paper
H 133 x W 199 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
The Fancy Dress Ball 1901
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Oil on canvas
H 50.8 x W 30.8 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Oil on canvas
H 40.6 x W 30.5 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
The Solo 1899
Alfred James Munnings (1878–1959)
Poster colour on cloth backed paper
H 193 x W 173 cm
The Munnings Art Museum
