FDA-D.257-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.257-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
Study of a Goat
Study of a Goat, lying down
Study of a Goat, lying down
Title Type
Formal name
Previous title
Previous title
Other number
Pi 249
Description
Content (note)
'Gainsborough made studies of animals throughout his life. He was findly attached to family pets (and hung a double portrait of his own fogs over his mantlepiece) and spoke with affection of a horse he was given by a friend which was 'not handsom' but dependably sure-fotted on the hilly roads in and around Bath. His studies of farm animals are as telling s those of domesticated ones. Here, he uses a minimum number of chalk strokes to describe the form and coat of the goat, and to suggest its character. It has been noted that goats feature in a number of the artist's late landscape paintings, many of which were inspired by a trip to the Lake District in 1783; but goats also appear in the 'Watering Place', which dates from the mid-1770s (National Gallery). The Eton drawing is of a dairy goat (without horns) which Gainsborough might have seen anywhere in England.'
From 'Hidden Treasures', Cat. No. 3, page 16
From 'Hidden Treasures', Cat. No. 3, page 16
Dimensions
height (actual size): 159mm
width (actual size): 243mm
width (actual size): 243mm
Inscription
With inscription 'Gainsbro' (lower right)
Materials & techniques note
Black chalk heightened with white on buff paper
Production
Person
Date
c. 1785
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Collection of Alan Pilkington; by whom presented/bequeathed to Eton College
Previous ownership
Pilkington, Alan, 1879 - 1973: Bought Colnaghi's sale and bequeathed to Eton 1973.
Osborne, Edgar: Osborne purchased object at anon. sale, 15/07/1958, Christie's, London. Lot 222 (with 11 others)
Osborne, Edgar: Osborne purchased object at anon. sale, 15/07/1958, Christie's, London. Lot 222 (with 11 others)
References
• Ryan, H., Hidden Treasures, W.S. Fine Art exhibition catalogue, 2010 (p. 16-17, no. 3)
• Christie's, A Genius for Watercolour; Watercolours from the Eton College Collection, exhibition catalogue, London, 2003 (p. 30, no. 21)
• McConnell, J. (ed.), Treasures of Eton, London, 1976 (p. 18, no. 15)
• Hayes, J., The Drawings of Thomas Gainsborough, London, 1970 (p. 313, no. 877, pl. 226)
• Herrmann, L., A loan exhibition of English drawings and watercolours in memory of the late D.C.T. Baskett, 30th July to 23 August 1963, P&D Colnaghi & Co, London, 1963 (no. 17)
• Hayes, J.T., Gainsborough Drawings: exhibition catalogue, Arts Council, London, 1960 (no. 72)
• Christie's, A Genius for Watercolour; Watercolours from the Eton College Collection, exhibition catalogue, London, 2003 (p. 30, no. 21)
• McConnell, J. (ed.), Treasures of Eton, London, 1976 (p. 18, no. 15)
• Hayes, J., The Drawings of Thomas Gainsborough, London, 1970 (p. 313, no. 877, pl. 226)
• Herrmann, L., A loan exhibition of English drawings and watercolours in memory of the late D.C.T. Baskett, 30th July to 23 August 1963, P&D Colnaghi & Co, London, 1963 (no. 17)
• Hayes, J.T., Gainsborough Drawings: exhibition catalogue, Arts Council, London, 1960 (no. 72)
