John the Baptist and Two Men, with Christ

William Hamilton

1770–80 · Pen and black ink, brush and brown wash over graphite · Drawings and Prints

Hamilton belonged to a generation determined to expand the scope of the arts in Britain. He traveled to Rome as a teenager to study with Antonio Zucchi, returned to England to make decorative paintings for Robert Adam, then entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1769. From that point forward he focused on historical and literary subjects, together with portaits. This early drawing may relate to lines in chapter 3 of Matthew's Gospel where Jesus approaches John the Baptist by the River Jordan as the latter baptises repentant Israelites.

Artist

William Hamilton

Date

1770–80

Medium

Pen and black ink, brush and brown wash over graphite

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 2015