Benjamin West

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Benjamin West
1738-1820
Christ Blessing Little Children. Verso: Sketch for Christ among the Doctors (?)
Black and white chalk, on blue paper.
7 1/8 x 11 3/8 inches (180 x 288 mm)
Purchased as the gift of Mrs. Robert H. Charles.
1970.11:219

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Notes: 

The drawing may be related to a pair of paintings West executed for the Duke of Rutland. The paintings, "Christ Among the Doctors" and "Christ Blessing the Little Children," were lost in a fire in October 1816.

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. 46.

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