Study for 'Venus Verticordia'
Maker
(Artists)
1828-1882
1828-1882
Title
Study for 'Venus Verticordia'
Date of Production
(circa) 1863 - 1864
Medium
graphite on wove paper
Dimensions
Height: 50.6 cm
Width: 36.9 cm
Width: 36.9 cm
Accession Number
D.1952.RW.4296
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
TThis drawing is one of several studies which Rossetti made in preparation for ‘Venus Verticordia’ (Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth) – one of the first of his many luxurious paintings of sensuous women inspired by Venetian High Renaissance art. The model was supposedly a cook whom he had encountered on the street. With fine pencil lines Rossetti focuses on her curling tresses of hair and striking features. The apple and arrow, combining both biblical and classical symbolism, hint at the complex meaning of this ‘Venus who turns hearts’.
Provenance
the artist's estate sale, Christie's (London), 12 May 1883; A. (Arthur?) Appleby; purchased from him by Colnaghi (London), 2 December 1949; purchased there by Sir Robert Witt, London (1872-1952), 22 December 1949 (£27); Witt Bequest 1952
Exhibition History
Life, Legend, Landscape - Victorian Drawings and Watercolours, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 17/02/2011-15/05/2011
Literature
Life, Legend, Landscape - Victorian Drawings and Watercolours, The Courtauld Gallery, 2011
cat. no. 5
ill. on p. 53
Surtees, Virginia, The paintings and drawings of Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882): a catalogue raisonne, London, 1971
Blunt, Anthony, Hand-list of the drawings in the Witt Collection, London, 1956
p. 42
cat. no. 5
ill. on p. 53
Surtees, Virginia, The paintings and drawings of Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882): a catalogue raisonne, London, 1971
Blunt, Anthony, Hand-list of the drawings in the Witt Collection, London, 1956
p. 42
Inscriptions
Watermark: Watermark: none.
Collector's mark: Removed from a former mount or support: Sir Robert Witt (L.2228b).
Inscription: Verso: centre, graphite: "18 [this scribbled over with "19"] x 14".and "28 1/2".
Collector's mark: Removed from a former mount or support: Sir Robert Witt (L.2228b).
Inscription: Verso: centre, graphite: "18 [this scribbled over with "19"] x 14".and "28 1/2".
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