Attributed to William Williams (Bristol 1727-1791)

Andromeda

细节

Attributed to William Williams (Bristol 1727-1791)
Andromeda
signed, inscribed and dated 'M^r. Williams returns M^r. Kunhans many thanks for his polite attentions:- will if he pleases meet him at the coffee-house, (where they were last) this afternoon at Ave =Maria:- returns M^r. Kunhans his Album, in which M^r. Williams has put a sketch of an Andromeda - Monday Morning - 3^d: April, 1786.' (on a sheet of tracing paper attached to the drawing)
pencil
8 3/8 x 6 in. (21.3 x 15.2 cm.)

来源

Theophil Friedrich Jakob Künhans, Venice.

登入

浏览状况报告

拍品专文

The style of the present drawing is very close to that of William Williams, a native of Bristol who began his career as a sailor. Later, drawing on his experiences, he wrote The Journal of Penrose, Seaman which, after failing to find a publisher in his lifetime, was printed in 1815 and is now regarded as the first American novel. Williams settled in Philadelphia around 1747, where he founded an art school and studio; his most famous student was Benjamin West, P.R.A. (1738-1820). Despite his illustrious connections in America, who included Benjamin Franklin, Williams returned to England in 1776 and lived first in London and then in Bristol. By this time he was living in poverty and in his final years was supported by the generosity of his friends.