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Lot Essay
It has been suggested that the present study was executed in connection with Dicksee's 1891 Royal Academy exhibit, The Crisis, now in the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Certainly it demonstrates an interest in the resting figure and the face in repose which culminates in that large oil, and there is a similarity in the hair and dress. However, it has a less prosaic air than the oil, and is typical of the romantic, dream-like strand of Pre-Raphaelitism for which Dicksee is best known.
After training with his father, Thomas Francis Dicksee (1819-1895), Dicksee entered the Royal Academy Schools, where he was taught by Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896) and Sir John Everett Millais (1829-1896). In 1875 he won the gold medal for Elijah confronting Ahab and Jezebel in Naboth's Vineyard, with which he made his debut at the Royal Academy in 1876. While still a student Dicksee began to undertake pictorial work for illustrated periodicals, notably Cassell's Magazine, the Cornhill and the Graphic. In 1879 he was commissioned by Cassell's to illustrate their edition of Longfellow's Evangeline, eventually published in 1882. The poem became the subject of his next picture, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1879 and sold to the Fine Art Society. This varied experience contributed to the fine quality of his drawing and the close attention to detail for which his work is noted. In 1891 he was elected R.A., and in 1924 he became President. He received a knighthood shortly thereafter, and was made K.C.V.O in 1927.
After training with his father, Thomas Francis Dicksee (1819-1895), Dicksee entered the Royal Academy Schools, where he was taught by Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896) and Sir John Everett Millais (1829-1896). In 1875 he won the gold medal for Elijah confronting Ahab and Jezebel in Naboth's Vineyard, with which he made his debut at the Royal Academy in 1876. While still a student Dicksee began to undertake pictorial work for illustrated periodicals, notably Cassell's Magazine, the Cornhill and the Graphic. In 1879 he was commissioned by Cassell's to illustrate their edition of Longfellow's Evangeline, eventually published in 1882. The poem became the subject of his next picture, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1879 and sold to the Fine Art Society. This varied experience contributed to the fine quality of his drawing and the close attention to detail for which his work is noted. In 1891 he was elected R.A., and in 1924 he became President. He received a knighthood shortly thereafter, and was made K.C.V.O in 1927.