Lot 624: Alfred Thomas Derby (1821-1873)

Alfred Thomas Derby (1821-1873)
The death of Rochester
inscribed 'Water Colour Drawing/painted by/Alfred T Derby/9 Os**aburgh Street/Regents Park N.W.' and further extensively inscribed (on the backing)
pencil and watercolour heightened with bodycolour and gum arabic, with scratching out
31.5 x 26 in. (80 x 66 cm.)

Sale of the Remaining works of Alfred Thomas Derby, Christie's, London, 23 February 1874, lot 13 (£18.180.).

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All lots removed to off-site warehouse the day after the sale - 2 weeks free storage
The notorious libertine John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, died in 1680. During his life he was a confirmed atheist, but legend has it that he repented on his deathbed, and his dramatic conversion was mentioned in numerous pious writings and works of art over the next two centuries. In the present work the clegyman at Rochester's bedside is reading to the dying man from the Gospel of Luke, Chaper XV. This extract contains a number of parables including the tale of the Prodigal Son.