- 7
Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
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Description
- Dante Gabriel Rossetti
- alexa wilding, a study for dante's dream
- signed with monogram and dated c.l.: 1870
- black, red and white chalk over pencil on grey paper
Provenance
John Varley;
Christie's, 11 March 1927, lot 89 as Head of a Lady;
Christie's, 20 July 1976, lot 179 as Alexa Wilding;
Maas Gallery, London, where bought by Harold and Nicolette Wernick from whom stolen in 2007 and subsequently recovered
Christie's, 11 March 1927, lot 89 as Head of a Lady;
Christie's, 20 July 1976, lot 179 as Alexa Wilding;
Maas Gallery, London, where bought by Harold and Nicolette Wernick from whom stolen in 2007 and subsequently recovered
Exhibited
George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, Springfield, Massachusetts, 19th Century English Art from the Collection of Harold and Nicolette Wernick, 1988
Condition
The sheet is sound but slightly discoloured. Some small spots of foxing in isolated areas of the sheet otherwise in good overall condition.
Held under glass in a simple modern gilt frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The professional model Alice (or Alexa) Wilding began to pose for Rossetti in 1865 when he 'discovered' her walking along the Strand and asked her to pose for the studies for a projected picture of Aspecta Medusa. By 1870, when this drawing was executed, she had already made her most striking appearances in his art, in Regina Cordium (Glasgow Art Gallery) and Monna Vanna of 1866 (Tate). Sibylla Palmifera completed in 1870 (Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight). Hers was the face that dominated his art of the 1870s (with that of Mrs Jane Morris). This drawing was made for the figure of the attendant on the left holding a shroud over Beatrice's beir in Rossetti's largest painting Dante's Dream at the Time of the Death of Beatrice (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool) commissioned in 1869 by the Liberal M.P. for Glasgow William Graham. Another study of Alexa for this painting is also dated 1870 (Fogg Art Museum, Harvard).