Lot 206: Smirke (Sir Robert, R.A., 1752-1845). Commencement

Smirke (Sir Robert, R.A., 1752-1845). Commencement of Don Quixote's Third Sally, pen & ink, with grey washes, and bodycolour over pencil, 20.2 x 16.5 cm (8 x 6.5 ins), mounted The original drawing for Richard Golding's engraving of the same subject after Smirke, published by Cadell & Davies in 1817, and used to illustrate the edition of Don Quixote published in 1818. A close contemporary of William Blake, Robert Smirke studied at the Royal Academy Schools and became an Academician in 1793. He produced many illlustrations to literature, including the Boydell Shakespeare. A number of paintings of his Don Quixote series are in the collection of the Tate Gallery, London. (1)

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