Envy from Ovid's "House of Envy" (Book II, lines 760-796) (recto); A naked woman (verso)

1770–80
Not on view
Hamilton belonged to a generation determined to expand the scope of the arts in Britain. He traveled to Rome as a teenager to study with Antonio Zucchi, returned to England to make decorative paintings for Robert Adam, then entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1769. From that point forward he focused on historical and literary subjects, together with portaits. This early drawing of a naked hag with snakes in her hair represents Envy as described by Ovid.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Envy from Ovid's "House of Envy" (Book II, lines 760-796) (recto); A naked woman (verso)
  • Artist: William Hamilton (British, London 1751–1801 London)
  • Date: 1770–80
  • Medium: Recto: pen and black ink, brush and brown wash and watercolor, over graphite
    Verso: pen and brown ink and graphite
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 7 1/16 × 8 9/16 in. (17.9 × 21.8 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.83a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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