Uncovered Sir Alfred Munnings works to be displayed in Norwich

News imageBBC Dr Caroline FisherBBC
Dr Caroline Fisher said the works needed to be conserved and better known

Rediscovered drawings created by Sir Alfred Munnings during his student days are to go on display for the first time.

The drawings were uncovered in the archives of the Norwich School of Art, where the Suffolk-born artist took evening classes.

They will be exhibited to help raise funds to preserve them.

Curator Dr Caroline Fisher said it was an "amazing collection".

Dr Fisher said the 14 pictures were drawn in about 1898-99 and highlight the artist's emerging skills in mastering the drawing of human and animal forms.

She said the collection not only needed conservation but also needed to be better known.

"They are stunning drawings and reflect an early period of Munnings' career, before he really made it as an artist," she added.

News imageSir Alfred Munnings One of the drawings featured in the exhibitionSir Alfred Munnings
The works were created while Sir Alfred was a student in Norwich
News imageSir Alfred Munnings Some of the drawings featured in the exhibitionSir Alfred Munnings
There are 14 pieces of art in the collection

Dr Fisher said Sir Alfred, who was born at Mendham, would attend evening classes at Norwich School of Art after working a full day at Page Brothers, the printers, as a lithographer and designer.

He was the president of the Royal Academy of Arts from 1944 to 1949.

His former home in Dedham, Essex was turned into a museum for his work after his death in 1959.

NUA said once the drawings have been conserved they will be remounted, framed and shown as part of a major exhibition of the artist's work in 2019 to mark the 60th anniversary of Sir Alfred's death.

News imageThe exhibition sign
The works were uncovered by the Norwich University of the Arts
News imageMunnings' name on his work
They works will go on display on Wednesday