ONE of a renowned artist’s most famous but rarely seen paintings has gone on display at his former home.

Painted by Sir Alfred Munnings, The Grey Horse can now be spotted by art enthusiasts at his former home in Dedham while on loan from a private art collector.

The composition is dominated by the impressive mare, Grey Tick, with the artist’s model and groom Ned Osborne riding the horse, and is regarded as one of Sir Alfred’s most romantic and evocative works.

And one of the first people to see the painting on display was Ned’s grandson, John Osborne.

“We were delighted to welcome John to the museum and to show him around the rooms and galleries and, of course, we couldn’t wait to show him the painting,” said Munnings Art Museum director Jenny Hand.

“This was the first time John had ever seen it ‘in the flesh’. Ned, who was a hard-working young man, was extremely proud to be part of Munnings’ world and to model for him on so many occasions.”

The connection between Sir Alfred and Ned Osborne was made when the artist moved to Lamorna, in Cornwall, in 1913.

The artist described meeting Mr Osborne in the first instalment of his autobiography: “I found a new lad, a primitive Cornish youth. Ned was the name of this simple soul, who grew into a useful combination of groom-model, and posed for many a picture.”

The painting on display at the museum is the largest and most detailed version of several that he painted of Osborne astride Grey Tick. He added in his diary: “Good, patient Grey Tick! I have often thought of her since, and how she helped my account at the bank.”

John said: “Visiting the museum was a wonderful experience for me and as I walked in the front door it was thrilling to see the painting for the first time, right in front of me.

“I always remember Ned dressed very similarly to that in the painting, the only thing missing was his cap which was a permanent fixture on his head in his later life.

“I would like to thank Jenny and her colleague Marcia Whiting for making my visit a special day in my life.”

The owner of the painting, John Innes, added: “I am delighted the Grey Horse is on display at the museum. My grandfather was a great admirer and personal friend of Munnings.

“He purchased a number of paintings from him of which the Grey Horse was his absolute pride. He would have been pleased to have had the opportunity to buy it and, as he was a rich man then, filling Munnings’ account at the bank would have been a pleasure.”