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Lot Essay
The subject matter of this delicate drawing is difficult to decipher. The composition bears strong similarities to Schiff, no. 1558, Conrad freeing Gulnare, from Byron's 'The Corsair', II, V (London Courtauld Institute, Witt Collection). A sketchier second version of Schiff, no. 1558 is on the verso of Head and shoulders of a woman in a plumed headdress, formerly in the collection of the late Jan and Marie-Anne Krugier-Poniatowski, Geneva.
Another possible subject of the present drawing is the death of Lucretia. Lucretia, having stabbed herself after being raped by Tarquinius, is supported by her husband Collatinus, while Junius Brutus stands behind, vowing revenge. Fuseli executed a different composition of this subject, which was engraved by William Blake for the second edition of Charles Allen's A New and Improved Roman History, published by Joseph Johnson in 1798 (Schiff, no. 932, illustrated II, p. 275). The cloaked figure behind, seemingly almost hovering, also echoes a pen and ink drawing (Schiff, 1349 (recto) and 1379 (verso) sold Christie's, New York, 13 January 1993, lot 134.
The inscription 'Georgina’s' suggests that the drawing may have been executed for Lady Georgina North, younger daughter of George and Susan, Earl and Countess of Guilford (for another drawing relating to the Guildford family see lot 96). Mr Coutts, a member of the Guilford family is known to have lived at Salt Hill, a hamlet about a mile west of Slough. It is probable that this is where this drawing was executed.
Another possible subject of the present drawing is the death of Lucretia. Lucretia, having stabbed herself after being raped by Tarquinius, is supported by her husband Collatinus, while Junius Brutus stands behind, vowing revenge. Fuseli executed a different composition of this subject, which was engraved by William Blake for the second edition of Charles Allen's A New and Improved Roman History, published by Joseph Johnson in 1798 (Schiff, no. 932, illustrated II, p. 275). The cloaked figure behind, seemingly almost hovering, also echoes a pen and ink drawing (Schiff, 1349 (recto) and 1379 (verso) sold Christie's, New York, 13 January 1993, lot 134.
The inscription 'Georgina’s' suggests that the drawing may have been executed for Lady Georgina North, younger daughter of George and Susan, Earl and Countess of Guilford (for another drawing relating to the Guildford family see lot 96). Mr Coutts, a member of the Guilford family is known to have lived at Salt Hill, a hamlet about a mile west of Slough. It is probable that this is where this drawing was executed.