Mural study

Judging from the loose paintwork and lack of definition this is most probably one of Brangwyn's later works and could possibly be a study for the Guildhall, Kingston upon Hull. Vincent Galloway, who was then curator of the Ferens Art Gallery, a friend of Brangwyn's who later wrote the introducton to the catalogue of Brangwyn's oil paintings, asked Brangwyn if he would be prepared to paint murals for the Banqueting Chamber of the Guildhall. Brangwyn worked for about 6 months on the project free of charge and forwarded some drawings to Galloway in June 1934. However, due to the financial climate at the time, the scheme was shelved. There are five known large studies for the proposed mural, four of which are in the Ferens collection, the fifth being in Dundee Art Gallery. The themes were generally ancient and modern commerce in the port and included shipbuilding.
We are grateful to Dr. Libby Horner for her help in preparing this catalogue entry.