Henry Fuseli, R.A. 1741-1825

The work is in excellent condition. The sheet has not been laid down and there has been only very minor paper discoloration. The medium is strong and in general the sheet has been well preserved.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This compact drawing shows three figures: on the left, a wary Hoplite Greek warrior appears uneasy at the presence of the enemy; while in the centre of the composition concealed behind a rock, an archer with his bow fully drawn, awaits the command to shoot.  The figure who directs the archer is actually a woman disguised as a man, or an Amazon in a short tunic and a swirling cloak. Dr. Christopher identifies her as none other than Athena Promachos, the Goddess of War. Her heroic pose, with raised right arm, derives from the statue of the Horsetamers of Monte Cavallo (Pallazzo Quirinale, Rome).  Interestingly, Fuseli has deliberately avoided any differentiation in the relative size of these three figures, thereby assigning equal importance to each of the protagonists and their role in this unfolding drama.

Christopher suggests that a feasible source for this subject despite a number of departures from the literal text is the Iliad,  Book 4.  Zeus and Hera persuade Athena (who like them wished Troy’s destruction), to try to break the truce between the Greeks and Trojans.  Athena here assures the skilled archer, Pandarus, one of the Greek allies, fame, wealth and power to ambush and shoot Menelaus, (here represented by the faceless Hoplite). Even though Athena, as Menelaus’s protector, also has to ensure that he is wounded only superficially, treachery and deceit and female machinations attempt to achieve the desired aim of perpetuating the war until Troy falls.

The identification of the subject of the present drawing was originally developed in an unpublished seminar paper written by Ms Monica Christopher as a graduate student at the New York University Institute of Fine Arts in 1988 for the late Professor Gert Schiff. We thank Dr. Christopher and Professor David Weinglass for there assistance in cataloguing this lot.