- 186
William Blake
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- William Blake
- Two studies of a baby’s head, possibly Hannah or Elizabeth Ann Linnell
- Pencil and watercolour, on laid paper watermarked with a fleur-de-lis;
bears inscription lower right: Portrait of some / Infant by William Blake / vouched by Feder. Tatham - 370 by 260 mm
Provenance
Catherine Blake, the artist's wife;
Frederick Tatham;
with Quaritch, London;
by whom sold, 30 June 1886, to Walford Graham Robertson;
sold by his executors, London, Christie’s, 22 June 1949, lot 66, bt. Winterbottom;
Alastair Winterbottom;
sale, London, Bonham’s, 11 March 2008, lot 27
Frederick Tatham;
with Quaritch, London;
by whom sold, 30 June 1886, to Walford Graham Robertson;
sold by his executors, London, Christie’s, 22 June 1949, lot 66, bt. Winterbottom;
Alastair Winterbottom;
sale, London, Bonham’s, 11 March 2008, lot 27
Literature
K. Preston, The Blake Collection of W. Graham Robertson, Described by the Collector, London 1952, pp. 180, 184, no. 74;
M. Butlin, The Paintings and Drawings of William Blake, Yale 1981, p. 543, no. 788
M. Butlin, The Paintings and Drawings of William Blake, Yale 1981, p. 543, no. 788
Condition
The pencil has survived well in this work, and Blake's used of watercolours washes was always subtle. There are occassional very minor creases in the sheet and the paper may have been cleaned. The sheet is not laid down.
For further information on this lot please contact Mark Griffith-Jones on 0207 293 5083 or mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com.
"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
It has been suggested that this large sheet dates to circa 1820 and possibly represents one of John Linnell’s children. This hypothesis is entirely plausible as, by this date, Blake had met Linnell, whose wife, Mary Ann, had given birth to two daughters, Hannah (b. 1818) and Elizabeth Ann (b. 1820).
Blake’s friendship with the Linnell family had a profound effect on a number of artists of the next generation. As a direct result, Samuel Palmer made Blake's acquaintance and through him many of Blake’s unique ideas were transmitted to a group of artists known as ‘The Ancients’.
The drawing belonged to the celebrated painter and costume designer, Walford Graham Robertson who owned a significant collection of Blake's work.