Details
JOHN WILLIAM GODWARD, R.B.A. (BRITISH, 1861-1922)
His birthday gift
signed and dated 'J.W. GODWARD. 1889.' (upper right)
oil on canvas
2018 x 10 in. (51.1 x 25.4 cm.)
Provenance
Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 2 December 1949, lot 53 (18 gns to M. Newman).
Anonymous sale; Christie's, Glasgow, 15 May 1997, lot 508.
with Christopher Wood, London.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 12 December 2013, lot 58, where purchased by the present owner.
Literature
V.G. Swanson, John William Godward, The Eclipse of Classicism, Woodbridge, 1997, pp. 154, 175-176, 271, pl. 123.
V.G. Swanson, John William Godward: The Eclipse of Classicism, Woodbridge, 2018, 2nd edition, pp. 233, 261, pl. 217.
Special notice
Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.
Brought to you by

Lot Essay

A classically draped girl examines a bracelet in a marble clad interior. Owing to the Athenian helmet and shield behind her, we may conclude that she is Greek rather than Roman. On the bronze table beside her are an array of carefully chosen objects: a cameo vase, a glass ointment jar, and a silver casket for jewellery. The bronze winged victory holding a laurel wreath is strikingly similar to Sir Arthur Gilbert's figure of Victory, first exhibited in 1887, two years before this picture was painted, but was probably also inspired by late 19th century edited reductions by Chiurazzi & Fils, Naples, of an antique sculpture of Winged Victory excavated at Pompeii.

Related Articles

Sorry, we are unable to display this content. Please check your connection.

More from
British and European Art
Place your bid Condition report

A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

I confirm that I have read this Important Notice regarding Condition Reports and agree to its terms. View Condition Report