drawing
- Museum number
- 1974,U.1-14
- Description
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Fourteen sheets of figure and anatomical sketches, including:
1974,U.1: A sheet of studies of female nudes.
1974,U.2: An anatomical study of a leg verso, pen and ink drawings including a female figure.
1974,U.8: A sheet of studies of female figures.
1974,U.9: Studies of classical figures.
1974,U.10: An anatomical study of an arm.
1974,U.12: A sheet of studies of female heads with an anatomical sketch of a solider holding a knife in his raised fist, a study of the bones in a foot on the same sheet. Verso, anatomical studies, sketches of eyes and a profile drawing of George III(?)
1974,U.13: Anatomical study of a back.
Ink, graphite and watercolour.
- Production date
- 1810-1878 (See comments)
- Dimensions
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Height: 237 millimetres (approx height (largest sheet))
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Height: 30 millimetres (approx height (smallest sheet.))
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Width: 95 millimetres (approx width (smallest sheet.))
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Width: 192 millimetres (approx. width (largest sheet))
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- These drawings were acquired through the bequest of the artist’s widow, Eliza Cruikshank which consisted of 4260 etchings and 4065 drawings by George Cruikshank and 2637 prints by other artists.
The range of drawings encompasses highly resolved studies, working drawings and rapid sketches.
Some appear to be first ideas for illustrations or paintings while others are inventive, comic and informal drawings. Cruikshank re-used and recycled letters, trade cards, documents and lists at times making creative use of the existing support.
In the 1970s, these sketches were given individual registration numbers and grouped according to themes.
Due to the very large numbers of sketches, they have been added to the online catalogue as group records using the thematic arrangement assigned to them in the 1970s.
The current online records usually use an approximate production date of 1810-1878 to cover all drawings in each groups.
It is certainly possible to date individual drawings more accurately through their content, such as a related publication, or the support and materials used. Where Cruikshank has drawn on correspondence or documents which indicate a production date, this has been recorded in the curatorial comment.
For example in this group, 1974,U.10 is drawn on the back of an advertisment for John Reeves, "Artists' canvas manufacturer and colourman, No's 2 & 98, John Street, (Between Windmill Street and Goodge Street.) Tottenham Court Road, London.
1974,U.12 On a sheet of paper watermarked 1830.
1974,U.14 On a sheet of paper watermarked Heale Miller, 1848.
The British Museum's collections also include Cruikshank's sketchbooks and "tracings", working sketches on tracings paper apparenty used to establish the compositions for his prints.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1891
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1974,U.1-14
- Additional IDs
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Miscellaneous number: 1891,1116.179
