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>
Composition Standing Figure Holding a Spear
Presented by Mrs John Richmond 1922
actions: postures and motions
adults
angel
arm / arms raised
figure
group
groups
people
religion and belief
universal religious imagery
paper unique graphite
Composition Sketch. Verso: Standing Figure Holding a Spear
support: 508 × 370 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-composition-sketch-verso-standing-figure-holding-a-spear-a00048" title="View the details of this artwork"><span>A00048</span></a> <b>Composition Sketch</b> <i>c.</i>1805–10 (recto)
<br/><b>Standing Figure Holding a Spear</b> <i>c.</i>1805–10(?) (verso)
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<p>A 00048 / B 587
<br/>Pencil 405×340 (16×13 1/2) on paper 508×370 (20×14 9/16); the drawing on the verso is upside down
<br/>Inscribed on recto by Frederick Tatham ‘William Blake Frederick Tatham’ b.r. 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, pp.446–7 no.587, pls.821 and 822
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<p>In style the 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> on this sheet resemble those on <span>N00043</span>, <span>N00033</span> and <span>N00049</span>. This suggests that 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> could be a study for one of the biblical <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>watercolours</span></a> painted for Thomas Butts, but it is difficult to identify the subject. The small figure with arms outstretched is shown standing before a larger figure, both being seen within an oval frame of swooping angels similar to those in ‘Christ Offers to Redeem Man’ in both the 1807 and 1808 series of illustrations to <i>Paradise Lost</i> (Huntington Library and Boston Museum respectively, Butlin 1981, nos.5293 and 5363, colour pls.634 and 647).
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<br/>This work was formerly inventoried by the Tate Gallery as no.3694 xxi.</p>
<p>
<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 angel arm / arms raised figure group groups people religion and belief universal religious imagery