🖼️ “Wings Over the Fens”

Mid-Century Masterpiece by Hugh Monahan 🌅🦆

Titled "Morning Flight of Brent Geese over the Bombing Range at Holbeach Marsh, South Holland, Lincolnshire"

🌿 A Poetic Vision of Nature in Motion

Take flight across the wide skies of Lincolnshire with this exquisite mid-century oil painting by renowned wildlife artist Hugh Cecil Charles Monahan. In “Wings Over the Fens,” Monahan masterfully captures a skein of Brent geesesoaring in formation above the peaceful marshlands of South Holland, moments after sunrise.

This is more than a landscape—it’s a celebration of rhythm, atmosphere, and instinctual flight. Set against a softly glowing morning sky in gradients of blue, gold, and amber, the geese sweep across the canvas like a living calligraphy, their silhouettes etched with grace and unity.

🎨 Composition & Artistic Technique

Monahan’s composition is a study in movement and serenity:

• The horizon stretches wide, emphasizing the openness of the Fens and the geese's effortless glide.

• Subtle reflections on water mirror the sky’s golden hues, adding harmony and depth.

• The brushwork is controlled yet expressive—textured where land meets water, and smooth where sky meets flight.

• The placement of the geese leads the eye in a natural arc, inviting viewers to follow their path and feel the stillness of early dawn.

Combining realistic detail with tonal impressionism, Monahan captures not just what we see, but what we feel in nature—peace, awe, and timeless beauty.

👨🎨 About the Artist – Hugh C.C. Monahan

Born in Dublin in 1914, Hugh Monahan became one of the 20th century’s most beloved wildlife painters. A graduate of the Royal Hibernian Academy, his works are known for their emotional sensitivity, technical excellence, and deep reverence for the natural world. Specializing in wildfowl and remote landscapes, Monahan’s ability to portray the elegant motion of birds in flight earned him wide recognition among collectors and museums alike.

🖌️ Medium & Signature

• Oil on Canvas

• Signed and dated c.1954 by the artist in the bottom right corner

🏛️ Provenance & History

This work boasts impeccable provenance:

• Held in a private Southern Shire collector’s estate

• Featured in a Southern Shire high-end auction

• Part of the Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD collection

• Includes a museum exhibition label, affirming its cultural significance📜

   

   

🌟 Why You’ll Love It

✅ A serene and soul-stirring vision of the English Fens at dawn, this painting transports you to a place of quiet majesty and natural harmony
✅ Hugh Monahan’s delicate yet confident brushwork captures the grace of Brent geese in flight — a symbol of freedom, instinct, and seasonal rhythm
✅ The golden sky, wide horizon, and mirrored reflections evoke a poetic stillness rarely seen in mid-century landscape art
✅ Blends realistic wildlife observation with tonal impressionism, making it equally appealing to birdwatchers, nature lovers, and fine art collectors

✅ Condition Report

Offered in overall fine used condition, this piece retains its original unlined canvas, exhibiting:

• Craquelure and foxing stains in areas consistent with age

• Minor cobwebs on the lower back

• A visible frame stretcher line near the top front

• Frame shows general wear, including small chips and losses, all commensurate with age and handling

This natural patina only adds to the charm of this mid-century gem.

📏 Dimensions of the Frame

• Height: 67 cm

• Width: 77.5 cm

• Depth (Frame Thickness): 3.2 cm

🌍 Worldwide Shipping Available

We proudly offer global shipping options with secure packaging and insurance, ensuring this masterpiece arrives safely at your door — wherever you are in the world.

📩 Inquire now to secure this unique piece

🖼️ Available exclusively through Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.