FDA-D.443-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.443-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
Study of a Man's Head, for 'The Tempest' [recto]; Nude Study [verso]
Whiteley
Whiteley
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
collection
collection
Comments
Romney's painting of the shipwreck scene which opens Shakespeare's play The Tempest was exhibited at Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery in 1790. Even before this project was launched, in November 1786, Romney had begun sketches for a painting of the subject, which he then expanded, adding to the number of figures for the large canvas, which was to measure fifteen feet wide. The precise incident depicted in the painting is not represented on stage, but recounted later, and concerns the moment when the young prince Ferdinand jumps from the sinking ship; behind him, his father King Alonso is prevented from restraining him by a number of the sailors. Prospero is seen controlling events from a cave on the shore nearby.
This study appears to be intended as one of the mariners, or possibly the king himself. The work evolved through a number of variants and the finished composition is now known only from the engraving. This head does not appear in any of the extant versions; it is therefore difficult to know whether it is to be read as the king's expression of dispair, or as the panic-stricken determination of one of the crew. The features, according to Patricia Jaffe, were probably studied from Romney's friend William Hayley.
This study appears to be intended as one of the mariners, or possibly the king himself. The work evolved through a number of variants and the finished composition is now known only from the engraving. This head does not appear in any of the extant versions; it is therefore difficult to know whether it is to be read as the king's expression of dispair, or as the panic-stricken determination of one of the crew. The features, according to Patricia Jaffe, were probably studied from Romney's friend William Hayley.
Other number
MFW 30
Description
Dimensions
height (actual size): 359mm
width (actual size): 367mm
width (actual size): 367mm
Inscription
Stamped with the collector's mark of Alfred de Pass, three stars below a crown; inscribed on verso: 'Study of Head / in / Tempest'
Materials & techniques note
Pencil and wash, the paper is watermarked
Production
Person
Romney, George, 1734 - 1802 (Artist)
Date
1788-1789
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Collection of Alfred de Pass; by whom bequeathed to the Royal Institution of Cornwall; by whom sold through Christie's, 22 February 1966 (presumed to be Lot 33); from whom purchased by Agnew's; with Alister Mathews, Bournemouth; from whom purchased by Martin Whiteley; by whom bequeathed to Eton College
Exhibited: 'A Genius for Watercolour', Christie’s, London, 6 to 24 January 2003, catalogue number 24; 'Humphrey Ocean: Fresh as Paint', The Verey Gallery, Eton College, 9 June to 30 October 2022, catalogue number 4
Exhibited: 'A Genius for Watercolour', Christie’s, London, 6 to 24 January 2003, catalogue number 24; 'Humphrey Ocean: Fresh as Paint', The Verey Gallery, Eton College, 9 June to 30 October 2022, catalogue number 4
Previous ownership
Whiteley, Martin F, 1930 - 1984: Bequeathed to Eton by Martin Whiteley
References
• Wilcox, T., A Genius for Watercolour; Watercolours from the Eton College Collection, Christie's exhibition catalogue, London, 2003 (No. 24, p. 33)
• Ryan, H., Hidden Treasures, W.S. Fine Art exhibition catalogue, 2010 (No. 7, p. 24-25)
• Ryan, H., Hidden Treasures, W.S. Fine Art exhibition catalogue, 2010 (No. 7, p. 24-25)
