John William Godward (British, 1861-1922)

Head of a Girl (The Priestess)

Details

John William Godward (British, 1861-1922)
Head of a Girl (The Priestess)
signed and dated 'J. W. Godward 96' (upper left)
oil on canvas
13½ x 11½ in. (34.2 x 29.2 cm.)
Painted in 1896

Provenance

Merton Russell Cotes, Bournemouth; his sale, Christie's London, 11 March 1905, lot 59 (20 gns.).
W. W. Sampson, London, acquired from the above.

Literature

V. G. Swanson, John William Godward, The Eclipse of Classicism, London, 1997, no. 1896/7, p. 194 (described as "present location unknown").

Lot Essay

A darkhaired, darkeyed Eastern beauty, wears a gold circlette in her black hair. The painting's simple seduction is evident from the young Priestess's gaze. Unlike many of Godward's oils, the Priestess has a dark background, which focuses all attention on the woman's charms.

We are grateful to Dr Vern Swanson, Director of the Springville Museum of Art, Utah, for his assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.

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