$5,535
Thomas Sully (American, 1783-1872) Study for Frances Anne Kemble as Isabella in "Measure for Measure" Initialed "TS" l. c., signed "Painted by/T Sully." on the reverse. Oil on panel, 12 x 10 1/2 in. (30.3 x 26.5 cm), framed. Condition: The work is double sided, the reverse bearing a scene in grisaille of two men in Elizabethan costume in a cave-like setting; scattered retouch, fine craquelure, minor surface imperfections. N.B. The painting is listed in The Life and Works of Thomas Sully , by Edward Biddle and Mantle Fielding (Philadelphia: Wickersham Press, 1921), p. 362, as No. 2348 "Isabella" (Shakespeare illustration) From "Measure for Measure." The owner at the time of publishing was Francis Fisher Kane of Philadelphia. The authors note that this was a study for a larger painting on canvas (36 1/4 x 28 3/8 in.), dated 1836, in the collection of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. The finished painting was also engraved by John Cheney (1801-1885) in 1840. The lot is accompanied by a copy of the above referenced book, part of the limited edition of 500, inscribed as no. 470 above the signatures of the authors. Several of the pages are uncut.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2017-01-27
