Head of Milroy

Details

William Etty, R.A. (York 1787-1849)
Head of Milroy
signed and inscribed 'Sketch by Etty R.A./of Milroy a French Jew./A Model at the Royal Academy' (on a label on the reverse)
oil on millboard
7 ¾ x 6 ¼ in. (19.7 x 15.9 cm.); and The Archer, attributed to William Etty, R.A.; and Sketch of a male nude by Circle of William Etty
(3)

Provenance

(iii) Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 26 July 1978, lot 22, where purchased by Brian Sewell.

Brought to you by

Lucy Cox

lcox@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2243

Lot Essay

Painted in oil (a medium which Fuseli encouraged Etty to use) on millboard, this sketch of Milroy by Etty is a wonderful example of the life-studies he made at the evening Life Class at the Royal Academy Schools. Many of Etty's life-studies survive, and in May 1850, after his death, more than eight hundred of them were sold in these Rooms from the artist's studio.

We are grateful to Richard Green for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.

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