Graphite on paper. verso: graphite on paper
Tate Collection
Works with images
General Collection
Collection
<a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/william-blake-39" aria-label="More by William Blake" data-gtm-name="header_link_artist" data-gtm-destination="page--artist">William Blake</a>
Preliminary Christ Girding Himself with Strength Standing Figure with One Arm Raised
Presented by Mrs John Richmond 1922
actions: postures and motions
adults
Bible: New Testament
Bible: Old Testament
Christ
emotions and human qualities
emotions, concepts and ideas
figure
group
groups
man
people
Psalms, 93
religion and belief
sitting
strength
<p>Blake based this design on Psalm 93 in the Bible. He shows Christ sat on a throne, flanked by two standing figures. He roughly outlines the figures and composition in the sketch, in preparation for a more developed watercolour painting. After Blake’s death, his wife Catherine gave this and other works to the young artist Frederick Tatham. Tatham was part of a small group called ‘the Ancients’ who greatly admired Blake. Together with Catherine – who acted as custodian and saleswoman of many of Blake’s works – the Ancients helped to shape Blake’s legacy.</p><p><em>Gallery label, October 2023</em></p>
paper unique graphite
17 April 2023 – 12 May 2024
2024-05-12
17 April 2023 – 12 May 2024
2024-05-12
2023-04-17
Tate Britain (London, UK)
http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/
2023-04-17
Blake
Collection based display
Preliminary Sketch for ‘Christ Girding Himself with Strength’. Verso: Standing Figure with One Arm Raised
support: 505 × 425 mm
Presented by Mrs John Richmond 1922
<div class="text">
<p>Blake based this design on Psalm 93 in the Bible. He shows Christ sat on a throne, flanked by two standing figures. He roughly outlines the figures and composition in the sketch, in preparation for a more developed watercolour painting. After Blake’s death, his wife Catherine gave this and other works to the young artist Frederick Tatham. Tatham was part of a small group called ‘the Ancients’ who greatly admired Blake. Together with Catherine – who acted as custodian and saleswoman of many of Blake’s works – the Ancients helped to shape Blake’s legacy. </p>
</div>

Display caption
2023-10-26T00:00:00
display-caption
DISPLAY_CAPTION
<p><a class="acno-pop" data-gtm-destination="page--artwork" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/blake-preliminary-sketch-for-christ-girding-himself-with-strength-verso-standing-figure-a00043" title="View the details of this artwork"><span>A00043</span></a> <b>Preliminary Sketch for ‘Christ Girding Himself with Strength’</b> <i>c.</i> 1805 (recto)
<br/><b>Standing Figure with One Arm Raised</b> <i>c.</i>1805–10(?) (verso)
<br/></p>
<p>A 00043 / B 465
<br/>Pencil approx, 400×335 (15 5/8×13 1/4) on paper 505×425 (19 1/2×16 7/8); the drawing on the verso is upside down
<br/>Inscribed on verso by Frederick Tatham, ‘William Blake slight beginning Frederick Tatham’ b.r.
<br/>Presented by Mrs John Richmond 1922
<br/>PROVENANCE
<br/>Mrs Blake; Frederick Tatham; his brother-in-law George Richmond, sold Christie's 29 April 1897 (in 147 with 22 other items; see no.2) £2.10.0 bt Dr Richard Sisley; his daughter Mrs John Richmond
<br/>LITERATURE
<br/>Butlin 1981, p.348 no.465, pls.549 and 550
<br/></p>
<p>The <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/r/recto-verso" title="Glossary definition for 'Recto / Verso'"><span>recto</span></a> is a study for the <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/w/watercolour" title="Glossary definition for 'Watercolour'"><span>watercolour</span></a> delivered to Thomas Butts on 12 May 1805 and now in the City Art Gallery, Bristol (Butlin 1981, no.464, pl.551). This is an illustration to Psalms xciii. The figure on the verso is similar in character to those on the backs of <a class="acno-pop" data-gtm-destination="page--artwork" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/blake-sketch-for-the-four-and-twenty-elders-casting-their-crowns-before-the-divine-throne-a00033" title="View the details of this artwork"><span>A00033</span></a>, <a class="acno-pop" data-gtm-destination="page--artwork" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/blake-composition-sketch-for-the-fall-of-the-rebel-angels-verso-standing-figure-with-a00049" title="View the details of this artwork"><span>A00049</span></a> and <a class="acno-pop" data-gtm-destination="page--artwork" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/blake-composition-sketch-verso-standing-figure-holding-a-spear-a00048" title="View the details of this artwork"><span>A00048</span></a>.
<br/>This work was formerly inventoried as no.3694 XV.</p>
<p>
<br/><b>Published in:</b>
<br/>Martin Butlin, <i>William Blake 1757-1827</i>, Tate Gallery Collections, V, London 1990
<br/></p>

Catalogue entry
2004-09-22T00:00:00
catalogue-entry
CATALOGUE_ENTRY
actions: postures and motions adults Bible: New Testament Bible: Old Testament Christ emotions and human qualities emotions, concepts and ideas figure group groups man people Psalms, 93 religion and belief sitting strength