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Lot Essay
Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840) was the most celebrated violin virtuoso of the early 19th Century. Born in Italy, he played across Italy, and later Europe, first coming to England in 1831.
There are two other known drawings by Landseer of Paganini, both with his violin raised: a rapid sketch now at the Royal Academy of Music, and a more worked up version (private collection) from which a small edition of lithographs were made. The initial sketch was made from memory in 1831 shortly after Landseer saw him play at a musical evening given by Marguerite, Countess Blessington, and is on paper blind-stamped 'Invergarry', the Scottish home of Landseer's great friend Edward Ellice.
There are two other known drawings by Landseer of Paganini, both with his violin raised: a rapid sketch now at the Royal Academy of Music, and a more worked up version (private collection) from which a small edition of lithographs were made. The initial sketch was made from memory in 1831 shortly after Landseer saw him play at a musical evening given by Marguerite, Countess Blessington, and is on paper blind-stamped 'Invergarry', the Scottish home of Landseer's great friend Edward Ellice.