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Matthew James Lawless , Irish, 1837-1864

Title

The Cavalier's Escape

Date1861

MediumGraphite and monochrome wash on paper

Dimensions

Sheet: 10.4 x 12.9 cm

Signedlower right (in pencil): MJL [in monogram] 1861.

Credit LinePurchased, 2005

Object numberNGI.19618

DescriptionThe Cavalier’s Escape is a preparatory drawing for a wood engraving by Joseph Swain (1820-1909), published in Once a Week, to illustrate a poem by Walter Thornbury. Lawless skilfully captures on a minute scale the energetic drama of the poem.
‘Fast, fast to Salisbury town!
Pad! pad! they came on the level sward,
Thud! thud! upon the sand;
With a gleam of swords, and a burning match,
And a shaking of flag and hand;
But one long bound, and I passed the gate,
Safe from the canting band.’
ProvenancePurchased, Whyte's, Dublin, 22nd February 2005, lot 120