Lycurgus entering Athens; and Theseus' Approach to Athens

Details

Edward Dayes (1763-1804)
Lycurgus entering Athens; and Theseus' Approach to Athens
signed and dated 'E Dayes 1797'
(the first lower right, the second lower left) and the first further inscribed '[Palamon & A]rcite or the Knight's Tale [from] Dryden' (lower edge)

pencil, pen and grey ink and watercolou, heightened with touches of white and gum arabic
22 3/8 x 31 1/8 in. (56.8 x 79.2 cm.)
a pair (2)

Provenance

Mrs. Madelyn Elmes.

Exhibited

London, Royal Academy, 1798, nos. 501 and 517.

Lot Essay

Preliminary drawings for the present watercolours were in a sketchbook known as the Oriflamme Sketchbook, originally from the collection of Robert Caney Esq., sold at Christie's London, 30 March 1993, lot 29 (£4,025). The subjects are taken from John Dryden's Palamon & Arcite, first published in 1700, a version in blank verse of Chaucer's Knight's Tale, derived from Bocaccio.

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