Historical subject with men and a boy near a ship (recto). Anatomical study of a foot (verso)

William Hamilton British

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 of men recognizing the identity of a captive boy next to a ship likely derives from a literary or historical source. On the verso, the artist copied a drawing of a flayed foot from an anatomy book.

Historical subject with men and a boy near a ship (recto). Anatomical study of a foot (verso), William Hamilton (British, London 1751–1801 London), Recto: pen and black ink, brush and brown wash and watercolor, over graphite
Verso: pen and black ink, brush and wash, over graphite

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