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The Cleveland Museum of Art
Woman Standing among the Friars (recto)
Description
John Brown is known for a small group of monochromatic drawings imbued with sinister overtones. At the age of 20, the Scottish artist traveled to Italy where he spent the next 12 years. This drawing exemplifies his Roman street scenes which often depict women dressed in spectacular, billowing costumes. Here, a figure with bare ankles and plunging décolletage is surrounded by a crowd of men who leer at her. The reverse of the sketchbook sheet includes two independent drawings: a study of faces in fierce and intense expressions, and a pair of women wearing swirling gowns. One figure raises her hand in a mysterious gesture, either beckoning or forewarning the viewer.
Provenance
John Brown (1752-1787); William Young Ottley, London, England; Sir Thomas Lawrence, London, England; (Christie's), purchased by Russell; Russell; Private Collection, Paris, France; (E.V. Thaw and Co., New York, NY), sold to The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH; The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Dimensions
25.8 × 36.9 cm
Movement / Period
Accession No
1969.28.a
Official Citations
Curatorial Affinity Stream
Continuing the Universe of John Brown (British, 1752–1787)
Drawings • England, 18th century • Harmonious Works & Contemporaries
Continuous Discovery