Study of Mrs Thoby Prinsep seated / Study of Lady Dalrymple reclining

George Frederick Watts 1817 - 1904

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of two drawings by George Frederick Watts, mounted together. The top drawing on the sheet shows a seated woman wearing a long dress that drapes on the floor. Her hands are clasped on her knees and her head is turned to face the viewer. The bottom drawing shows a woman lying down, with her head resting on a pillow. Her eyes are closed and one hand is resting against her forehead. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "22, 22. GEORGE FREDERICK WATTS (b. 1817; d. 1904) TWO SMALL FIGURE STUDIES 21. STUDY OF MRS. THOBY PRINSEP SEATED 14.4 x 9 cm. (5 5/8 x 3 1/2 in.). 22. STUDY OF LADY DALRYMPLE RECLINING (8.4 x 14.4 cm. (3 1/4 x 5 5/8 in.). Collection of Mrs. G. F. Watts, Compton, Surrey. Lead point. Mrs. Thoby Prinsep was a Miss Sara Pattle, wife of Mr. H. Thoby Prinsep, member of Council at the India Office. Lady Dalrymple (Mrs. Dalrymple at the time of the sketch), wife of Sir John Dalrymple, Bart., was a Miss Sophie Pattle and younger sister of Mrs. Thonby Prinsep. From Note-books Nos. 1 and 2. These little sketchbooks of prepared paper with lead point attached were regularly used by Watts from the early 'fifties' and well on into the 'sixties'. They are full of exquisite studies of a kind that will surprise those who only know Watts from his larger works, and have the same intimate charm found in Millais's early designs for book-illustration, with more than Millais's power of drawing. The studies were done for the most part from Mrs. Prinsep, Lady Dalrymple, Mrs. Jackson (the eldest Miss Pattle) and her daughters, the intimate circle of Little Holland House. A. M. H. [M. S. Watts (Mrs. G. F. Watts), Annals of an Artist's Life. 1912. Vol. I, p. 157, and Vol. III, plates at pp. 78 and 190.]"