Study of a tortoise

Details

JOHN RUSKIN H.R.W.S. (LONDON 1819-1900 BRANTWOOD)
Study of a tortoise
pencil, pen and black ink, grey, blue and ochre wash on paper
5 5⁄8 x 6 5⁄8 in. (14.4 x 16.8 cm.)

Provenance

Joan Severn (neé Agnew) (1846-1924), Brantwood, Coniston; probably her estate sale, Sotheby's, London, 20 May 1930, part of lot 57 (as 'Study of a Turtle', 4 gns to K. Charles).
with Agnew's, London, 1966.

Literature

E.T. Cook and A. Wedderburn (eds.), Works of John Ruskin (Library Edition), 1912, vol. 38, p. 287, no. 1679, as 'Tortoise'.

Exhibited

Manchester, Manchester City Art Gallery, Ruskin Memorial Exhibition, 1904, no. 360.
London, The Fine Art Society, Ruskin Exhibition, March-April 1907, no. 94.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Lucy Speelman Junior Specialist, Head of Day Sale

lspeelman@christies.com +44 207 752 3074

Lot Essay

Ruskin made several studies of reptiles, animals and birds (see, for example, a study for A Dalmatian Pelican Christie's, London, 17 June 2014, lot 51, sold £20,000). While it is not known when the present drawing was executed, nor where Ruskin may have seen the tortoise, it has been suggested that it is likely to have been during one of his many visits to London Zoo as a member of the Zoological Society.

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