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The Ascension

Drawing
c.1716 (drawn)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This drawing is a study for the ceiling painting in Queen's College Chapel, Oxford. It depicts the Ascension of Christ who holds aloft a banner, surrounded by angels. While similar in composition to the final painting, another study (Dyce.618) more closely resembles the realised design. Thornhill loosely sketched the composition is pencil before delineating it more precisely in pen and ink, and enhancing the darker passages with grey wash.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleThe Ascension
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Drawing, The Ascension, study for the painting on the ceiling of the apse in Queen's College Chapel, Oxford by Sir James Thornhill, pen and ink with wash, ca. 1716
Physical description
Drawing in pen and ink with wash. A study for a painting on the ceiling of the apse in Queen's College Chapel, Oxford. Signed 'J Th'.
Dimensions
  • Height: 17.2cm
  • Width: 17.2cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Credit line
Bequeathed by Rev. Alexander Dyce
Object history
Provenance: Bequeathed by Rev. Alexander Dyce

This study was for a painting to decorate the ceiling of the recently rebuilt Queen's College Chapel, largely designed by Sir Nicholas Hawksmoor (building commenced in 1713 and the chapel was consecrated in 1719). Ultimately, Thornhill decided on another, similar composition (Dyce.618) for his painting.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This drawing is a study for the ceiling painting in Queen's College Chapel, Oxford. It depicts the Ascension of Christ who holds aloft a banner, surrounded by angels. While similar in composition to the final painting, another study (Dyce.618) more closely resembles the realised design. Thornhill loosely sketched the composition is pencil before delineating it more precisely in pen and ink, and enhancing the darker passages with grey wash.
Associated object
DYCE.618 (Version)
Bibliographic reference
DYCE COLLECTION. A Catalogue of the Paintings, Miniatures, Drawings, Engravings, Rings and Miscellaneous Objects Bequeathed by The Reverend Alexander Dyce. London : South Kensington Museum, 1874.
Collection
Accession number
DYCE.617

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Record createdOctober 29, 2009
Record URL
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