ATTRIBUTED TO GUY HEAD | RECLINING NUDE

A neo-classical history painter born in Carlisle, Guy Head entered the RA schools in 1778, before travelling abroad circa 1781. In 1787 he became a member of the Florence Academy and of that of Cassel the following year. By 1790 he was settled in Rome where he became a member of the Accademia di San Luca in 1792. At the time of the French invasion he took refuge aboard Nelson's ship at Naples and in 1799 he travelled around Sicily with Charles Lock. He died in London in 1800, shortly after returning to England. 

The subject matter and handling of the present painting bear close similarity to Head's Echo flying from Narcissus, sold in these rooms, 10 December 1958, lot 159; and also to his painting of Iris carrying the water of the River Styx to Olympus, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1800 and now in the National Galleries of Scotland.