21 - Terence Cuneo

Terence Cuneo (British, 1907-1996) The Song of the Foot Plate, 1968 oil on canvas signed Cuneo and dated October '68 (lower left) 24 x 48 in. (61 x 121.9 cm) Property from a Private Family Trust, Chicago, Illinois This lot is located in Philadelphia. Framed: 31 1/4 x 54 in. Canvas is lined with Mylar. Minor deposits of surface dirt and dust; one small abrasion to the varnish along the upper center edge, approximately 1 inch in length; otherwise appears in overall good and stable condition. Under UV light: one pinpoint spot of inpainting in the center, within the engine cabin door. Additional images available upon request. Provenance: The Sladmore Gallery, London. Exhibited: London, The Sladmore Gallery, Terence Cuneo, October 9 - 30, 1971, no. 78, illustrated. Lot Note: Terence Cuneo was one of Britain's best-known railway painters, celebrated for his vivid depictions of locomotives and the country's industrial heritage. Trained as an illustrator, he combined meticulous attention to mechanical detail with a strong sense of movement and drama. Executed in 1968,The Song of the Foot Platecaptures the locomotive head speeding forward, conveying the immense power and energy of the steam engine. The dynamic composition and sense of motion reflect Cuneo's particular ability to transform technical subjects into compelling images, celebrating both the engineering achievements and enduring romance of the British railway age.