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Study for "The Siege of Gibraltar": Three Figures

1785–86
Not on view
After settling in London in the fall of 1775, Copley made drawings for most of his English paintings, especially his history paintings. For “The Siege of Gibraltar” (1783–91; Guildhall Art Gallery, London), a stirring depiction of the British defense of the Rock in 1779–82 against Spanish and French forces, Copley made nearly one hundred chalk, graphite, ink, and watercolor drawings. He worked on the painting for eight years, as he time and again altered and compromised his ideas according to the wishes of the members of the Corporation of the City of London, who had commissioned the painting. The extant drawings document the artist’s working method and his thought processes in the course of devising such a monumental work. This three-figure chalk drawing is probably a preliminary study for soldiers in the gunboat, although it was not used in the final composition. This drawing is squared for transfer to canvas and includes notations regarding that process.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Study for "The Siege of Gibraltar": Three Figures
  • Artist: John Singleton Copley (American, Boston, Massachusetts 1738–1815 London)
  • Date: 1785–86
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Black and red chalk on blue laid paper
  • Dimensions: 14 3/8 x 23 in. (36.5 x 58.4 cm)
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1960
  • Object Number: 60.44.19
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

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View of Gibraltar
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Portrait of Admiral Lord Howe, Portrait of Captain Barrington, and View of Gibraltar
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Study for "The Tribute Money", John Singleton Copley American, Black chalk and white-chalk heightening on blue laid paper, American
Study for "The Tribute Money"
John Singleton Copley
1782
Study for "The Siege of Gibraltar": Sprawling Figures, John Singleton Copley American, Black chalk on off-white laid paper, American
Study for "The Siege of Gibraltar": Sprawling Figures
John Singleton Copley
1785–86
Study for "The Siege of Gibraltar": Officer in Four Poses, John Singleton Copley American, Black chalk on blue laid paper, American
Study for "The Siege of Gibraltar": Officer in Four Poses
John Singleton Copley
1785–86

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