Graphite on paper
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<a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/robert-blake-38" aria-label="More by Robert Blake" data-gtm-name="header_link_artist" data-gtm-destination="page--artist">Robert Blake</a>
Six Drawings Figures with Outstretched Arms
Presented by Mrs John Richmond 1922
actions: postures and motions
adults
arm / arms raised
figure
group
groups
people
paper unique graphite
Six Drawings of Figures with Outstretched Arms
support: 318 × 394 mm
Presented by Mrs John Richmond 1922
<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-six-drawings-of-figures-with-outstretched-arms-a00004" title="View the details of this artwork"><span>A00004</span></a> <b>Six Drawings of Figures with Outstretched Arms</b> (recto and verso)
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<p>A 00004 / B R8
<br/>Pencil, each approx. 150×95 (6×3 3/4), on paper 395×319 (15 9/16×12 9/16); the paper has been folded twice, once in each direction Watermarked ‘PRO PATRIA’ and ‘GR’ Inscribed on recto by Frederick Tatham ‘William Blake vouched by Frederick Tatham’ b.r.
<br/>Presented by Mrs John Richmond 1922
<br/>PROVENANCE 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 Butlin 1981, p.623 no.R8, pls.1187 and 1188
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<p>Similar to <a class="acno-pop" data-gtm-destination="page--artwork" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/blake-two-drawings-of-frightened-figures-probably-for-the-approach-of-doom-a00002" title="View the details of this artwork"><span>A00002</span></a> above. The upper half of 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> contains a single <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/d/drawing" title="Glossary definition for 'Drawing'"><span>drawing</span></a> of two figures. At first both held their arms out before them but the artist subsequently raised the arms of the right-hand figure to a more upright position.
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<br/>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/p/paper" title="Glossary definition for 'Paper'"><span>paper</span></a> was then folded vertically as well as horizontally, dividing each side into four sections. The two new sections on the recto and three of those on the verso (excluding the lower right-hand section which is blank) were then filled with separate drawings, all facing in different directions but showing similar figures, singly or in pairs, full-length or head-and-shoulders only, raising or holding out their arms. In each case the gesture is stressed by the figures' exaggeratedly long index fingers.
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<br/>This work was formerly inventoried by the Tate Gallery as no.3694 xiv.</p>
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<br/><b>Published in:</b>
<br/>Martin Butlin, <i>William Blake 1757-1827</i>, Tate Gallery Collections, V, London 1990
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Catalogue entry
2004-09-22T00:00:00
catalogue-entry
CATALOGUE_ENTRY
actions: postures and motions adults arm / arms raised figure group groups people