- 22
Sir Edward John Poynter, Bt., P.R.A., R.W.S.
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Sir Edward John Poynter, Bt., P.R.A., R.W.S.
- Cressida
- oil on canvas
- 71 by 56cm., 28 by 22in.
Provenance
Commissioned in 1887 by William Leason Thomas, founder of the Graphic for inclusion in 'The Graphic Gallery of Shakespeare's Heroines', his sale Christie's, 9 March 1889, lot 2990;
Christie's, New York, 1 March 1990, lot 248
Christie's, New York, 1 March 1990, lot 248
Exhibited
London, The Graphic Gallery, Bond Street, February 1889
Literature
The Graphic, Christmas Supplement, 1890, illustrated in colours
Condition
The canvas has been lined. There is a craquelure pattern across the surface, most noticeably in the green garment around her left arm.
Ultraviolet light reveals flecks of retouching to the surface, including to her face, neck and chest and to areas of craquelure in the green garment mentioned above.
Held in a modern gilt reproduction 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
Cressida was painted in 1888 as one of twenty-one pictures commissioned by The Graphic magazine to be published as prints depicting 'Shakespeare's Heroines' and part of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebrations. Other contributors included Leighton who painted Desdemona (unlocated), Dicksee who portrayed Beatrice (in these rooms, 19 December 2001, lot 69) and Waterhouse who painted Cleopatra (Christie's, 14 June 2005, lot 14). Poynter's picture depicts the Trojan woman Cressida, daughter of Calchas, looking from the window of her home for her lover Prince Troilus, illustrating her words; "How now! what's the matter? who was here?" from Act IV, Scene II of Troilus and Cressida.