Lady Seated at a Table (recto); Dancing Figures (verso)

1775 or later

Not on view

After three years studying art in Italy, Romney returned to London in 1775 and established himself as a successful portrait painter. He attracted important patrons and charged fees only slightly below those commanded by Sir Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough. Romney often made rapid working studies when exploring compositions; here he used pen to define the figure and expressive passages of wash to establish light and shade. Since the sitter is seen in profile writing a letter, she may relate to a contemplated literary subject rather than a portrait. Wishing to extend his range toward history painting, Romney began a series of female figures in the 1780s inspired by characters in poems and novels.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Lady Seated at a Table (recto); Dancing Figures (verso)
Artist: George Romney (British, Beckside, Lancashire 1734–1802 Kendal, Cumbria)
Date: 1775 or later
Medium: Recto: pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash
Verso: black chalk, pen and brown ink
Dimensions: Sheet: 10 1/8 x 11 1/8 in. (25.7 x 28.3 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1911
Object Number: 11.66.3
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By George Romney

In the same medium

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Mourning Figures: possibly a copy after a fresco by Cimabue, George Romney British, Pen and brown ink over traces of black chalk — Mourning Figures: possibly a copy after a fresco by Cimabue
George Romney
Giovanni Cimabue
ca. 1773–75

The Rev. William Atkinson, wearing a broad-brimmed hat, George Romney British, Graphite — The Rev. William Atkinson, wearing a broad-brimmed hat
George Romney
The Reverend William Atkinson
ca. 1760

Study of two figures: one seated, the other standing (recto). Study of a head looking upwards (verso), George Romney British, Graphite with traces of pen and brown ink at upper right — Study of two figures: one seated, the other standing (recto). Study of a head looking upwards (verso)
George Romney
ca. 1777

Emma Hamilton

George Romney

ca. 1900

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