Lot 499: Sir Frederick William Burton, R.H.A. R.W.S.

Sir Frederick William Burton, R.H.A. R.W.S. (1816-1900) 'FAUST AND MARGUERITE' Watercolour and bodycolour over pencil with gum Arabic 44 x 39cm The legend of Faust, re-told in Christopher Marlowe' play 'The Tragicall History of Dr Faustus'' of 1604, was also the subject of Goethe's more celebrated poetic drama 'Faust', which was published in two parts, in 1808 and, after the author's death, in 1832. It tell the story of a mythical alchemist and astrologer and of a pact made between God and the evil spirit Mephistopheles (seen lurking behind trees to the left in this picture). God trusts in Faust's strength to resist any temptation that Mephistopheles might devise for him. However, when the damsel Marguerite (or Gretchen) is sent to Faust, he falls for her charms and seduces her. She dies and he descends into despair and self-loathing Provenance: Christie, Manson and Wood's, sale of Drawings, Sketches etc. of Sir F.W.Burton, Friday, June 21st 1901, lot 146