Old Master and British Works on Paper
Old Master and British Works on Paper
A Way of Life: The Collection of Barbara & Ernest Kafka
William West
The Attack of the Medes and the Persians; together with Armed figures rowing through a cavern
No reserve
Lot Closed
July 6, 02:15 PM GMT
Estimate
1,000 - 1,500 GBP
Lot Details
Description
A Way of Life: The Collection of Barbara & Ernest Kafka
William West
1801 - 1861 London
The Attack of the Medes and the Persians; together with Armed figures rowing through a cavern
Both grey and black washes, heightened with scratching out
185 by 260 mm; 215 by 295 mm
(2)
Although not born in Bristol, by 1823, West was living there and had met many of the young and avant-garde artists that were based in the city. In April 1829 John King noted that he [West] 'makes sketches at the drawing parties which delight all who have seen them'.1
Away from painting West was interested in science and engineering. In 1828 he redeveloped a windmill on Clifton Down, installing first a telescope and then a camera obscura. In the mid 1830s he had become involved in the construction of Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge.
The present drawings are reminiscent of the sepia drawings of Francis Danby and John Martin, both in technique and subject matter.
1. F. Greenacre, The Bristol School of Artist Francis Danby and Painting in Bristol 1810-1840, Portsmouth 1973, p. 198