A Clown

A Clown
A Clown
A Clown
National Museum Wales, Cardiff
title=Credit line
Artist
Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782)
Title
A Clown
Date
c.1751 (undated)
Medium
Black chalk on white laid paper
Dimensions
Metric: 230 x 144 mm
Imperial: 9 x 5 1/2 in.
Accession Number
NMW A 5758
Wilson Online Reference
D25
Provenance
William Lock of Norbury; his sale, Sotheby's, London 3-7 May 1821 (387?); Vulliamy, Glasbury-on-Wye; purchased from Russell Ward & Sons, 37 Church Street, Hereford, 26 June 1958
Signature/inscription
Unsigned; inscribed on old secondary support, see 'Mount Inscriptions'
Verso inscriptions
[1] Lower centre in pencil: R. Wilson | Mr Lock's Sale May 1821
Mount inscriptions
Inscribed on old secondary support: 'Wilson from Mr Lock's Col'
Subject
Probably drawn at the Venice Carnival of 1751
Critical commentary
Although the style seems surprising, doubtful and modern, the Lock provenance supports the authenticity and date of the drawing.
Condition/Conservation
An old secondary support has been removed