Lot 144: Frederick Richard Pickersgill, R.A. (1820-1900)

Mars and Venus, crowned by Cupid signed with initials 'F R P ARA' (lower left) and signed and inscribed 'Samson and Delilah/F.R. Pickersgill. R.A.' (on an old label on the reverse) oil on panel 12 x 9 7/8 in. (30.5 x 25 cm.) PROVENANCE with P. & D. Colnaghi & Co., Ltd, London. Anon. sale, Sotheby's, New York, 23 January 1979, lot 258, as Samson and Delilah, when acquired by the present owner. EXHIBITION A Brush with the Millenium, 2000, no. 7. NOTES Though sold to the Forbes Collection as Samson and Delilah, and carrying a comparable pose to the protagonists in the picture of 1850 in Manchester City Art Gallery, this picture would appear to be a depiction of Venus, Mars and Cupid. Mars, god of war, having disposed of his armour, reclines in Venus's lap, while the triumph of love is concluded by a winged Cupid, who places a floral wreath on Venus' head. It is not known whether the present picture is a sketch for a larger composition.