'Melencolia'

Details

George Adolphus Storey, R.A. (1834-1919)
'Melencolia'
signed with monogram (lower right) and inscribed 'MELENCOLIA' [sic] (centre right, in a cartouche)
pen and brown ink with brown and grey wash
10½ x 8 in. (27.7 x 20.3 cm.)

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve. No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The present drawing clearly relates to Albrecht Dürer's (1471-1528) well loved copper engraving of the same subject matter Melencolia I, 1514. The allegorical composition has many interpretations but the most common understanding is as a portrayal of the depressive or melancholy state.

Storey was a painter of genre and portraits and also worked as an illustrator. He was a student at the Royal Academy Schools in 1854 where he came under the influence of the Pre-Raphaelites.

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