Compositional Study for "Comus–The Measure" (recto); Studies of a Man's Right Leg, after Titian, and a Profile, for "Comus–The Measure" (verso)

Subject Relates to John Milton British

before 1864

Not on view

Richmond began his career as a member of "The Ancients," and close friend of Samuel Palmer. The two shared a life-long devotion to Milton, and this drawing relates to a painting inspired by the poet's "Comus, a Masque." Richmond worked on the canvas (now at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool), for three decades before exhibiting it in 1864. He represents a pivotal moment when Comus, who combines aspects of Bacchus and Puck, tells his dancing followers to hide in the woods. Previously, they have invited a girl they found lost in the wood to join them, but now hear her brothers approaching to reclaim her. In response, Comus commands, "Break off, Break off, I feel the different pace, / Of some chaste footing near about this ground, / Run to your shrouds, within the breaks and trees; / Our number may affright." The basic visual dynamic demonstrates Richmond's close study of Titian’s "Bacchus and Ariadne," at the National Gallery in London.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Compositional Study for "Comus–The Measure" (recto); Studies of a Man's Right Leg, after Titian, and a Profile, for "Comus–The Measure" (verso)
Artist: George Richmond (British, Brompton 1809–1896 London)
Artist: After Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) (Italian, Pieve di Cadore ca. 1485/90?–1576 Venice)
Subject: Relates to John Milton (British, London 1608–1674 London)
Date: before 1864
Medium: Black chalk
Dimensions: Sheet: 9 5/8 × 11 9/16 in. (24.4 × 29.3 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Purchase, Brooke Russell Astor Bequest, 2013
Object Number: 2013.80
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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