The Ascension
Drawing
c.1716
c.1716
| 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 with arms open, wrapped in billowing drapery and surrounded by angels. Thornhill made only minor changes to the composition of the final painting, slightly adjusting the angle of Christ's raised right leg and opening the right hand of the angel on the far left as if in awe. He 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 | |
| Title | The 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 |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Signed J. Th. |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Rev. Alexander Dyce |
| Object history | Provenance: Bequeathed by Rev. Alexander Dyce This study was for the 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). Thornhill made only minor changes to the composition of the final painting, slightly adjusting the angle of Christ's raised right leg and opening the right hand of the angel on the far left as if in awe. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This drawing is a study for the ceiling painting in Queen's College Chapel, Oxford. It depicts the Ascension of Christ with arms open, wrapped in billowing drapery and surrounded by angels. Thornhill made only minor changes to the composition of the final painting, slightly adjusting the angle of Christ's raised right leg and opening the right hand of the angel on the far left as if in awe. He 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.617 (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.618 |
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| Record created | October 29, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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