Not on display
- Artist
- Robert Blake 1762–1787
- Medium
- Graphite on paper. Verso: graphite on paper
- Dimensions
- Support: 343 x 467 mm
- Collection
- Tate
- Acquisition
- Presented by Mrs John Richmond 1922
- Reference
- A00003
Display caption
Blake’s first biographer, Alexander Gilchrist, attributed this drawing to William Blake. However, in 1926 the Blake scholar Geoffrey Keynes suggested it was by William’s youngest brother, Robert.
Nevertheless, the subject matter of this drawing suggests that William’s idea of prophecy being central to the artist’s role was sufficiently passionate to inspire his brother.
Gallery label, July 2008
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Catalogue entry
A00003 The Preaching of Warning (recto)
Possibly by William Blake: An Old Man Enthroned between Two Groups of Figures (verso)
A 00003 / B R6
Pencil 342×466 (13 5/16×18 3/4)
Inscribed on recto by Frederick Tatham ‘These sublime lines by William Blake - The preaching of warning - vouched by Fredk. Tatham’ b.r.
Presented by Mrs John Richmond 1922
PROVENANCE Mrs Blake; Frederick Tatham; his brother-in-law George Richmond, sold Christie's 29 April 1897 (in 147 with 22 other items; see no.2) £2.10.0 bt Dr Richard Sisley; his daughter Mrs John Richmond
LITERATURE Butlin 1981, p.622 no.R6, pls.1179 and 1180
Despite Tatham's attribution to William Blake, Sir Geoffrey Keynes suggested that the drawing might be by Robert in a letter of 23 October 1926. The recto is close in style and apparent subject to the ‘Druid Grove’ in the Keynes collection (Butlin 1981, no.R4, colour pl.176).
The drawing on the verso seems to depict a ruler enthroned with two seated counsellors on the left while four other figures converse in a huddle on the right. The style of the right-hand group of figures is much more relaxed than in most works thought to be by Robert, though those on the left are close to A00002 and A00004.
This work was formerly inventoried by the Tate Gallery as no.3694 x.
Published in:
Martin Butlin, William Blake 1757-1827, Tate Gallery Collections, V, London 1990
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