Benjamin West

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Benjamin West
1738-1820
A Group of Four Women
Black chalk on paper.
8 15/16 x 11 3/4 inches (227 x 299 mm)
Purchased as the gift of Mrs. Robert H. Charles.
1970.11:94

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Notes: 

A comparison of the treatment of the women in this drawing with those in paintings from 1766-68 reveals that this is probably an early drawing. It may be related to an early painting by West, "Orestes and Pylades," 1766, at the Tate Gallery, London.

Inscription: 

Inscribed in pen and brown ink, "Lot 73/2 Titiano".

Provenance: 
Estate of the artist; by descent; Harry Margary, the great-grandson of Maria West (daughter of Raphael Lamar West, and granddaughter of Benjamin West); Thos. Agnew and Sons, Ltd., London; from whom purchased 60 drawings, 17 June 1964, and 197 drawings, 15 February 1965, by M. Knoedler and Co., Inc.; from whom purchased 257 drawings by the Morgan Library in 1970.
Associated names: 

Margary, Harry, former owner.
Charles, Robert H., Mrs., donor.

Bibliography: 

Kraemer, Ruth S. Drawings by Benjamin West and His Son, Raphael Lamar West. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 1975, no. 3.

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