λ Michael J. Browne (British 21st century) Manchester United in Procession Oil on canvas Signed and dated 2013 (lower right) 106 x 168cm (41½ x 66 in.) Provenance: Purchased directly from the artist by the present owner Players identified in painting: Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Eric Cantona, Mark Hughes, Steve Bruce, Paul McGrath, Nemanja Vidić, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Peter Schmeichel, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Dwight York, Norman Whiteside, Gordon Strachan and Sammy Mcllroy together with managers Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson. The present lot is Michael J. Browne's homage to Manchester United painted in 2013. The work shows iconic players such as Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney alongside managers Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson in procession. The central figure, Nemanja Vidić, holds a golden ball as the players walk against a backdrop of triumphant iconography drawing on symbols of strength from the Roman Empire including the Colosseum, a triumphant arch and the Latin word 'Legio'meaning 'chosen body or legion' reigning high above the players, together with 'X 20 X' referring to the number of leagues won by United. To the right of the scene is Manchester United's stadium and across the painting held high on crosses are large silver trophies with gold crowns signifying their success and achievements. Michael J. Browne was born in Moss Side, Manchester. Growing up in a difficult household Browne found escapism in art from a very young age. He was inspired by anything that he saw around him and turned his creativity into something positive focusing on drawing. At a young age Browne went to live with his art teacher and went on to study at Chelsea School of Art followed by an MA at Manchester Metropolitan University. Browne has always been particularly fascinated with the Renaissance masters and has become renowned for depicting well-known figures encompassing topics of cultural importance, history or religion. Browne shot to fame in 1997 with his work The Art of the Game depicting Eric Cantona as Jesus. The work was displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in the 'Painting the Century Exhibition 2001' as part of 101 portrait masterpieces of the 20th Century. Before this his copy of the Sistine Chapel painted in the Cocotoo restaurant in Manchester caused great publicity between 1992-1994. Other important figures he has illustrated include Wayne Rooney, Donald Trump and Jeremy Corbyn.