Christie’s roundel
Lot 275

Adam Buck (Cork 1759-1833 London)

The expiation of Orestes

Closed31 August 2025

Estimate

GBP 1,000–1,500

More Information

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Adam Buck (Cork 1759-1833 London)
The expiation of Orestes
signed and dated 'Adam Buck 1813' (lower left) and inscribed 'The Expiation of Orestes/ From a Greek Vase in the possession/ of Mr Luppi.' (verso)
pencil and watercolour heightened with bodycolour on board
9 1⁄8 x 9 ¾ in. (23.2 x 24.7 cm.)

Specialist note

Buck had a deep-seated interest in Antiquity and the Classical and often incorporated vases, sculptures and bas-reliefs of classical subjects into the settings of his portraits. He had an extraordinary knowledge of Greek vase paintings, and intended from 1811 to publish a folio of One Hundred Engravings from Paintings on Greek Vases, which have never been published. The project was never finally realised but the 157 original drawings for it are now in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin.