drawing
- Museum number
- 2019,7015.696
- Description
-
A nude male figure standing in front of an archway holding an axe or club above his head of which only the handle is visible; his torso oriented towards the right to suggest a forceful movement. 1844
Pencil with watercolour washes on watermarked laid paper
Verso:
An angel in flight with raised hands; an archway to the right.
Pen and black and brown ink over charcoal and pencil on watermarked laid paper
- Production date
- 1844
- Dimensions
-
Height: 168 millimetres
-
Width: 140 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 2019
- Acquisition notes
- John Christian purchased the drawing from Bonhams. He retained the invoice No: 7503219, dated 07.10.08 which provides the following information:
"Trans no: 447591, Sale No 16212, Theodore Matthais von Holst (British 1810-1844) A man with a club.' With price.
It is no: 32 in Bonhams, sale of 18th and 19th Century British Watercolours and Drawings, Tuesday 23 September 2008, London (Sale catalogue p.22.)
Acquired by The British Museum mounted on pale green card in a light wood frame. With a label verso handwritten in black ink:
"Theodore Van Holst (1810-1844) Pencil & watercolour with washes.
The drawing is backed on paper annotated /RZ
Signed and dated 1844 "Man with club" Van Holst was a friend of Fuseli's."
With a further label with the number "85", "60" inscribed on the back of the frame and a previous title handwritten above: "A male nude brandishing a cudgel."
This item has an uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933-45. The British Museum welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era.
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 2019,7015.696
