Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Arthur Hughes - Studies for 'April Love' c.1856

Graphite and ink wash on paper

This is one of a number of similar designs which Hughes produced while working on April Love (Tate Gallery N02476). The sketch was presented by the artist to his friend the sculptor Alexander Munro (1825-71). Munro is said to have posed for the young man in the picture (letter from Margaret Munro, 20 August 1959, in Tate Gallery files). Hughes shared a studio with Munro at 6 Upper Belgrave Place, London from 1852 to 1858.

Further reading:
Leslie Parris (ed.), The Pre-Raphaelites, exhibition catalogue, Tate Gallery, London 1984, reprinted 1994, pp.137-8
Leonard Roberts, introduction by Stephen Wildman, Arthur Hughes: His Life and Works, a Catalogue Raisonné, Woodbridge, Suffolk [to be published 1997]

Terry Riggs
December 1997

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