George Manning-Sanders (1881-1953) | Artist and Author

George Manning-Sanders was an English artist and author born George Sanders in 1881. He met his wife, Ruth Manning, in Devon and they married in 1911, at which time they changed their names to Manning-Sanders.

An artist and art master in his youth, George Manning-Sanders later turned to writing. He wrote three novels and many plays and short stories. His play, "Mr Boyce's Birthday," became well known through being broadcast by the BBC.

George Manning-Sanders died in an accident in 1953 aged 72.

Early Life and Family

George Manning-Sanders was born in 1881 in England under the name George Sanders. He later adopted the hyphenated surname Manning-Sanders upon marrying Ruth Manning, a poet and folklorist, in 1911. Together, they formed a creative household that nurtured artistic and literary pursuits. His wife, Ruth Manning-Sanders (1886 – 1988), was a successful poet and author, predominantly folk and fairy tales in her later life. George and Ruth had two children, David and Joan. Joan Manning-Sanders (1913–2002), found fame as a teenage artist in the 1920s, exhibiting at the Royal Academy by age 14. and continued to paint throughout her life. The family lived in various locations including Bude, Newlyn, and Sennen Cove in Cornwall, as well as Grasse in France.

Artistic Career and Style

George Manning-Sanders began his career as an art master and painter, later transitioning into writing. His artistic output included watercolours and drawings, often reflecting the Cornish landscape and coastal life, aligning with the Newlyn School and broader British Impressionist traditions. His work is noted for its narrative quality, often depicting scenes of everyday life with subtle emotional depth.

Though not widely known in mainstream art circles, Manning-Sanders maintained a steady presence in regional exhibitions and was part of the Cornish art community, which included figures like Stanhope Forbes and Laura Knight. His artistic sensibilities were shaped by the natural beauty of Cornwall, and his work often carried a quiet lyricism that complemented his literary interests.

Peers and Influences

Manning-Sanders was surrounded by a circle of creatives, including his wife Ruth and daughter Joan. His peers likely included members of the Newlyn and St Ives art colonies, though he remained somewhat peripheral to their more commercial success. His influences were rooted in British Romanticism, folk traditions, and the Arts and Crafts movement, which valued craftsmanship and narrative in visual art.

Legacy and Market Presence

His most common mediums are paintings and watercolours, with subjects ranging from still lifes to coastal scenes. His works are appreciated by collectors of regional British art and Cornish heritage pieces.

The market for Manning-Sanders’s work is sporadic but consistent. His art appeals to buyers interested in 20th-century British regionalism, and while prices are modest, they reflect a steady appreciation for his craftsmanship and historical context. We haven’t seen a lot of George Manning-Sanders artworks, but what is available is often light, with a lovely texture to the paintings.

Sources: www search and obituary