King Canute

c. 1819/1820

William Blake

Associated Names
William Blake

Artist, British, 1757 - 1827

The image shows a pencil sketch of a man's upper torso and head. He has distinct facial features with eyebrows, a mustache, and a curly beard. His hair is styled and merges into an elaborate crown atop his head. The crown is detailed and extends upwards. The man wears a simple cloak over his shoulders. The background is plain, and the paper shows signs of aging.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    graphite

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 25.8 x 20.3 cm (10 3/16 x 8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.9001

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Butlin 1981, no. 721

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

LJR (Lugt Supp.1760b)

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1997

  • Six Centuries/Six Artists, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1997.

Bibliography

1975

  • Fine 1975, IV.A.15.

1981

  • Butlin, Martin. The Paintings and Drawings of William Blake. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1981.

Inscriptions

by John Linnell, in graphite, lower center: Canute; lower right: Dark Hair & Eyes; across center effaced: King Canute Dark Hair & Eyes / J. Linnell; lower right verso: J.L.

Wikidata ID

Q64636363

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