Compositional Study for “Comus–The Measure”(recto); Studies of a Man’s Right Leg, after Titian, and a Profile, for "Comus–The Measure"(verso)

George Richmond|John Milton|Titian (Tiziano Vecellio)

before 1864 · Black chalk · Drawings and Prints

Richmond began his career as a member of "The Ancients," and close friend of Samuel Palmer. The two shared a life-long devotion to Milton, and this drawing relates to a painting inspired by the poet's "Comus, a Masque." Richmond worked on the canvas (now at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool), for three decades before exhibiting it in 1864. He represents a pivotal moment when Comus, who combines aspects of Bacchus and Puck, tells his dancing followers to hide in the woods. Previously, they have invited a girl they found lost in the wood to join them, but now hear her brothers approaching to reclaim her. In response, Comus commands, "Break off, Break off, I feel the different pace, / Of some chaste footing near about this ground, / Run to your shrouds, within the breaks and trees; / Our number may affright." The basic visual dynamic demonstrates Richmond's close study of Titian’s "Bacchus and Ariadne," at the National Gallery in London.

Artist

George Richmond|John Milton|Titian (Tiziano Vecellio)

Date

before 1864

Medium

Black chalk

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Purchase, Brooke Russell Astor Bequest, 2013