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A Sacrifice Interrupted
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One of the most talented draftsmen of his generation in England, John Hamilton Mortimer became known for a style of drawing in pen and ink that was bold, confident, and energetic. This sheet depicts a large crowd in a frieze-like arrangement gathered to witness a figure with an axe on the verge of decapitating a young male captive. Mortimer deliberately sought out obscure narratives and leaned toward the violent and macabre. In spite of the research of numerous art historians, the specific subject of the drawing has yet to be identified.
| Artist / Maker | John Hamilton Mortimer |
|---|---|
| Date | 1770s |
| Culture / Origin | England, 18th century |
| Medium | pen and brown ink |
| Dimensions | Sheet: 24.5 x 36 cm (9 5/8 x 14 3/16 in.); Secondary Support: 31.7 x 43.7 cm (12 1/2 x 17 3/16 in.) |
| Department | Drawings |
| Type | Drawing |
About the Artist
BiographyJohn Hamilton Mortimer (1740–1779) — British artist (1740-1779).John Hamilton Mortimer worked as painter and printmaker and is associated with England. Their documented life spans the years 1740 to 1779, born in Eastbourne, died in London.Disciplinespainter, printmakerBorn1740, EastbourneDied1779, LondonNationalityEnglandSources: Wikidata · Wikipedia Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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