Graphite on paper
Tate Collection
Works with images
General Collection
Collection
<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>
Two Drawings Frightened Figures Probably Approach Doom
Presented by Mrs John Richmond 1922
actions: expressive
adults
comforting
embracing
emotions and human qualities
emotions, concepts and ideas
fear
figure
group
groups
people
recoiling
paper unique graphite
Two Drawings of Frightened Figures, Probably for ‘The Approach of Doom’
support: 311 × 213 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-two-drawings-of-frightened-figures-probably-for-the-approach-of-doom-a00002" title="View the details of this artwork"><span>A00002</span></a> <b>Two Groups of Frightened Figures, Probably for ‘The Approach of Doom’</b>
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<p>A 00002 / B R7
<br/>Pencil, each approx. 95×55 (3 5/8×2 1/4), on paper, cut irregularly, 311×212 (12 1/4×8 5/16); the paper has been folded horizontally between the two drawings
<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; <a class="acno-pop" data-gtm-destination="page--artwork" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/blake-st-christopher-copy-from-an-engraving-verso-part-of-a-face-copy-from-a-plaster-cast-a00045" title="View the details of this artwork"><span>A00045</span></a>) £2.10.0 bt Dr Richard Sisley; his daughter Mrs John Richmond
<br/>LITERATURE Butlin 1981, pp.622–3 no.R7, pl.1178
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<p>Two <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>drawings</span></a> of a group of three frightened figures. In the lower drawing the position of the head of the left-hand figure has been altered or an additional head added to enlarge the group to four.
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<br/>A similar group, though more extended, appears in the more finished pen and wash drawing known as ‘The Approach of Doom’ (Butlin 1981, no.R2, pl.1181). The Tate's drawing is presumably the first stage in the evolution 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/c/composition" title="Glossary definition for 'Composition'"><span>composition</span></a>.
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<br/>This work was formerly inventoried by the Tate Gallery as no.3694 ix.</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: expressive adults comforting embracing emotions and human qualities emotions, concepts and ideas fear figure group groups people recoiling