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Study of a male nude for 'Faithful until Death' (recto)

Maker

Edward John Poynter (artist)
1836-1919

Title

Study of a male nude for 'Faithful until Death' (recto)

Date of Production

(circa) 1865

Medium

black chalk (recto and verso) on laid paper

Dimensions

Height: 30.8 cm
Width: 20.4 cm

Accession Number

D.1952.RW.1112

Mode of Acquisition

Robert Clermont Witt, bequest, 1952

Credit

The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

Copyright

Work in the public domain

Location

Not currently on display

Keywords




Label Text

Reproduced as an engraving by Ferdinand Joubert (1810-1884), Poynter’s painting Faithful unto Death (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool) became one of the most popular images in Victorian art. It shows a faithful Roman sentinel standing steadfastly at his post during the volcanic destruction of Pompeii. This drawing is a life study of the man in the background of the painting shown shielding himself from raining fire. Poynter’s powerful depiction of the body in action and his sound understanding of muscle and skeletal structure indicate his training in the French academic tradition.

Provenance

stamped by the artist, L.874; his estate sale, Christie's (London), 19 January 1920, lot 4; purchased there by James Rimell & Son (London) (£4.2); Sotheby's (London), 1927 [according to notes in the file, though have a ? added to them, and the WItt card gives no details of the purchase date - likely assumed because series of preceding drawings purchased at Sotheby's on 16 March 1927]; purchased there by Sir Robert Witt, London (1872-1952), L.2228b (10 shillings); Witt Bequest 1952

Exhibition History

Life, Legend, Landscape - Victorian Drawings and Watercolours, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 17/02/2011-15/05/2011

Slade 1871-1971 - A Centenary Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 20/11/1971-12/12/1971

Literature

Life, Legend, Landscape: Victorian Drawings & Watercolours, The Courtauld Gallery, 2011
no. 3
Fig. p. 47

Life, Legend, Landscape - Victorian Drawings and Watercolours, The Courtauld Gallery, 2011
cat. no. 3
Fig. p. 47

The Slade, 1871-1971: a centenary exhibition, Royal Academy, London, 1971
no. 81
Fig. pl. 16a ...More

Blunt, Anthony, Hand-list of the drawings in the Witt Collection, London, 1956
p. 38 ...Less

Inscriptions

Watermark: Watermark: none.

Collector's mark: Recto: lower right corner, blindstamped: Edward John Poynter (L.874). Verso: lower right corner, stamped in black: Sir Robert Witt (L.2228b)

Inscription: Recto: upper left edge, black chalk, cut off at left edge: "[...]n Sentinel"". Verso: lower left, graphite: "6" [or b]; lower left, graphite, Witt number: "1112".

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