In 1913, Alfred J. Munnings discovered the colonies of gypsy hop-pickers who would settle and work in the fields of Hampshire in the south of England every summer. His vibrant and colorful depictions of these migrant workers and their families did much to establish his reputation in the years before the First World War. In this scene, the casual stances of the gypsies convey their symbiotic relationship with the landscape: dependent on the land for their livelihood, they appear almost rooted to the ground. Although Munnings was to enjoy the life of a wealthy gentleman artist, he recalled his days among the gypsies in 1913 with fondness: “More glamour and excitement were packed into those six weeks than a painter could well contend with.” Gallery label for installation of YCBA collection, 2016
