John Martin, R.W.S. (1789-1854)

Esau selling his birthright

Details

John Martin, R.W.S. (1789-1854)
Esau selling his birthright
signed with initials and dated 'J.M.1833' (lower left)
pencil and brown wash
3.3/8 x 5.3/8 in. (8.5 x 13.6 cm.)

Provenance

Anon. sale, Sotheby's London, 6 February 1862, lot 135.

Exhibited

Dublin, Royal Dublin Society, Exhibition of Fine Arts, 1861, no. 97F.

Engraved

A. Landell's engraving for J.Martin & Westall Pictorial Illustrations of the Bible, circa 1833-4.

Lot Essay

Martin executed 48 drawings for illustrations of the Bible, all of which were based on Old Testament subjects. Esau selling his Birthright is the subject of Martin's final oil painting executed shortly before his death in 1854.

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