FDA-D.1569-2017
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.1569-2017
Object type
Identification
Title
W.G. Fletcher, K.S.
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Comments
This is one of a series of five red chalk drawings, showing three former Eton Masters and two recipients of the Victoria Cross, all of whom were killed during the First World War. The drawings were commissioned by Eugen Millington-Drake (1889-1972) from portraitist Moussa Ayoub (c.1873-1955), who copied photographs of the sitters. They were originally displayed in the corners of the Macnaghten Library, located within Eton College's School Library, and can just be made out in early photographs of the room. Framed in Queensland oak, the frames match the bespoke furniture designed for the Macnaghten Library.
Eugen Millington-Drake was so deeply affected by the loss of his former House Master, Hugh Macnaghten (who took his own life in 1929), and the deaths of so many of his contemporaries in the First World War (WW1), that he was inspired to establish a memorial at Eton. He funded and commissioned the Macnaghten Library, filled with his collection of over 5,000 autographed books on aspects of WW1. The library was dedicated to Macnaghten and the 53 former boys of their house, as well as to eight other Eton friends of Millington-Drake who had been lost.
Eugen Millington-Drake was so deeply affected by the loss of his former House Master, Hugh Macnaghten (who took his own life in 1929), and the deaths of so many of his contemporaries in the First World War (WW1), that he was inspired to establish a memorial at Eton. He funded and commissioned the Macnaghten Library, filled with his collection of over 5,000 autographed books on aspects of WW1. The library was dedicated to Macnaghten and the 53 former boys of their house, as well as to eight other Eton friends of Millington-Drake who had been lost.
Description
Dimensions
height (sight size): 329mm
width (sight size): 228mm
height (frame): 498mm
width (frame): 395mm
width (sight size): 228mm
height (frame): 498mm
width (frame): 395mm
Inscription
Mount lettered 'W.G. FLETCHER, K.S. 1901-1906 / MASTER AT ETON, / 1913-1915'
Materials & techniques note
Red chalk drawing
Production
Person
Ayoub, Moussa, c.1873 - 1955 (Artist)
Date
c.1938
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Commissioned from the artist by Eugen Millington-Drake (1889-1972); by whom presented to Eton College (for display in the original Macnaghten Library) in c.1938
