Michael William Balfe (1808-1870), Composer and Singer

License image

Daniel Maclise , Irish, 1806-1870

Title

Datec.1843

MediumGraphite and wash on paper

Dimensions

19 x 16.2 cm

Signedlower right (in graphite): Daniel Maclise

Credit LinePurchased, 1912

Object numberNGI.2656

DescriptionMichael Balfe (1808-1870), the well-known Irish composer, is shown holding the score of his most famous opera, 'The Bohemian Girl', which was first performed in 1843. On the grounds of style and the apparent age of the sitter, the drawing cannot be later than mid 1840s. Sir William Drake owned a large collection of Maclise's work, most of it purchased at the artist's sale.
Inscriptionlower centre (in graphite): Michael Balfe
upper right (in very faint graphite): Yours...[illegible]/MW Balfe 1852 [or 3]
Marks: lower left: Collector's mark for Drake (an interwined double D) (Lugt 736)
Exhibition HistoryDaniel Maclise (1806-1870), Romancing the Past, Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, 24 October 2008 – 14 February 2009