John Flaxman, R.A. (1755-1826)

Studies of Matilda Lowry: Seated; and Standing (illustrated)

Details
John Flaxman, R.A. (1755-1826)
Studies of Matilda Lowry: Seated; and Standing (illustrated)
the first inscribed and dated 'sketch of/M.Lowry/1803.' (lower left); and the second signed with initials, inscribed and dated 'Mat.Lowry/Dec. 29. 1803/JF' (lower left)
pencil, unframed
7¼ x 5 3/8in. (18.4 x 13.7cm); and 7 1/8 x 5 1/8in. (18.1 x 13cm.) (2)
Provenance
Edward Croft-Murray, and thence by descent.

Lot Essay

The sitter for these two drawings could be the wife or some other relation of the engraver Wilson Lowry (1762-1824), who engraved a number of plates for Abraham Rees's The Cyclopedia, published in 1820. Flaxman had written an article on 'Basso Relievo', of which he sent copies to his patron William Hayley and to Prince Hoare, at the beginning of January 1804, the year after the date on this drawing (see G.E. Bentley, Jun., Blake Records, 1969, pp.138-9). Wilson Lowry himself was later the subject of a joint project of William Blake and John Linnell in the shape of an engraved portrait of 1824-5 (see R. Essick, The Separate Plates of William Blake, 1983, pp.201-8, no.XLIII, illustrated, pls.84-8).

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