Live Auction 5433Old Master & British Pictures & Old Master Drawings
Benjamin West, P.R.A. (Pennsylvania 1738-1820 London)
Lot 397 PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION (LOTS 397-405)

Benjamin West, P.R.A. (Pennsylvania 1738-1820 London)

Studies for the Ascension: Christ ascending (recto); Studies of heads (verso)

Closed2 December 2008

Price Realised

GBP 687

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Benjamin West, P.R.A. (Pennsylvania 1738-1820 London)
Studies for the Ascension: Christ ascending (recto); Studies of heads (verso)
black and white chalk, on grey paper
10 x 7¼ in. (254 x 190 mm.)

The artist's family, and by descent to
Mrs P. Howard; Sotheby's, London, 22 March 1979, lot 33.

Specialist note

Painted for the Chapel of Revealed Religion that King George III planned to build at Windsor, The Ascension was to have been the dominant painting on the wall of New Testament subjects. When plans for the Chapel fell through, the painting remained in West's possession and was displayed as part of his posthumous exhibition. Sold as part of West's studio sale in 1829, it was presented to Harrow School, where it remained until 1854. It is now in the gallery of the Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina. A monochrome sketch for the painting, which also remained in the possession of West's family after his death, is now in the collection of the Tate.