In Tate Britain
Prints and Drawings Room
View by appointment- Artist
- John Hamilton Mortimer 1740–1779
- Medium
- Chalk and ink on paper
- Dimensions
- Support: 455 × 324 mm
- Collection
- Tate
- Acquisition
- Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996
- Reference
- T09121
Display caption
Mortimer was one of the most gifted draughtsmen of his generation. Here
he has sketched an imaginary battle between flayed human figures, or 'ecorchés'. The battle is repeated
below in skeletal form.
According to a contemporary, Mortimer was able to draw
a compleat skeleton of the human figure, in the most difficult attitude that could be devised, & begin at the heel; & then, with different coloured ink, he would clothe it in muscles,¿ & begin them at the same part; but what was still more amazing,
he never altered a line.
Gallery label, September 2004
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