- 19
Charles West Cope, R.A.
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
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Description
- Charles West Cope, R.A.
- the Awakening of King Lear by the kiss of Cordelia
- signed l.c.: CWCope/ 1850
- oil on canvas
- 102 by 153cm., 40 by 60in.
Provenance
Painted for Isambard Kingdom Brunel's 'Shakespeare Room', the dining room of his home at Duke Street, St James';
Sold by his executors, Christie's, 28 April 1860, lot 221;
John Marshall, his sale Christie's, 28 May 1881, lot 45 unsold;
Christie's, 26 May 1888, lot 166 bought 'Ford';
Purchased by the present owner in 1988
Sold by his executors, Christie's, 28 April 1860, lot 221;
John Marshall, his sale Christie's, 28 May 1881, lot 45 unsold;
Christie's, 26 May 1888, lot 166 bought 'Ford';
Purchased by the present owner in 1988
Exhibited
Royal Academy, 1850, no.39
Literature
Charles Henry Cope, Reminiscences of Charles West Cope, 1891, p.189
Condition
Original canvas. There are some faint signs of craquelure to Lear's fur coat, around the head of the cloaked figure and in a few other places in the background; otherwise the work appears in good overall condition, clean and ready to hang.
Ultraviolet light reveas an opaque varnish which makes the surface difficult to read conclusively. There appears to be some retouching in the space between Cordelia and Lear's heads, and a few areas elsewhere in the dark backround and along the lower edge.
Held in a gilt plaster frame.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The present picture was commissioned by the great civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel for his dining room which was decorated with pictures of Shakespearean subjects by Daniel Maclise, Charles Robert Leslie, Augustus Egg, Edwin Landseer and Clarkson Stanfield.