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, Irish, 1816-1900
Title
Act IV, Scene 1 from Byron's 'The Two Foscari'
Date1838
MediumWatercolour and graphite on paper
Dimensions
68 x 82 cm
Credit LinePurchased, 2015
Object numberNGI.2015.20
DescriptionThis watercolour depicts a scene from Act IV, Scene 1 of Lord Byron's 1821 verse play 'The Two Foscari'. The Doge is shown weeping over the body of his son Jacopo while Jacopo's wife warns the Venetian officials to stay away. Being an early work by Burton, painted in 1838 when he was just 22 years of age, it is less assured in terms of handling and composition compared with later watercolours like 'Faust's Sight of Marguerite' (NGI.19602).
ProvenanceThomas Philip, Earl de Grey, bought from the Royal Hibernian Academy Exhibition, 1838; purchased, Adam’s, Important Irish Art Sale, 1 April 2015, lot 54