Johann Heinrich Füssli, Henry Fuseli, R.A. (1741-1825)

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Johann Heinrich Füssli, Henry Fuseli, R.A. (1741-1825)

A Frieze of Michelangelesque Figures, (recto); A Man exclaiming at a prone Youth (verso)

signed 'Fusili' twice and numbered '10' and '11'; pencil, pen and grey and brown ink, grey wash
5 x 10¼in. (125 x 257mm.)

Lot Essay

From the same series of drawings as lot p. 27, q.v. The group on the left of the recto, numbered '10', shows an old woman in profile, with arms extended as if in prayer, seated behind the prostrate figure of a man. On the right there is a free version of the crucified Haman from Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, Rome (see also lot p. 4). On the reverse is a single compositon of a bearded man in semi-oriental, perhaps Old Testament costume, kneeling on one knee and gesturing towards the prostrate figure of a nude man. Behind on the left is an old woman, resting her hand on a stick, and traces of a further figure with crossed legs, cut by the trimmed edge of the paper. In the background, between the two main figures, is another prostrate male body. Professor Weinglass suggests that this could represent Elisha restoring the Shunamite's Son to Life, 2 Kings 4, 8-36

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