Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level F , Case TOPIC, Shelf 8A

Serpent

Drawing
1962 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In the 1960s Henry constructed various drawing machines from the components of analogue bombsight computers. Henry was fascinated by the swinging motion of the machines and adapted them to accommodate pen and paper. His drawing machines were operated electronically, but could not be programmed.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSerpent (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Pen and ink mechanical drawing
Brief description
Pen and ink mechanical drawing on paper, 'Serpent', by Desmond Paul Henry, 1962.
Physical description
Pen and ink mechanical drawing on paper, depicting a coiling snake-like form.
Dimensions
  • Height: 31.5cm
  • Width: 26.1cm
Marks and inscriptions
'Henry 62' (Artist's name and date, in green ink in lower right.)
Credit line
Given by Elaine O'Hanrahan
Subject depicted
Summary
In the 1960s Henry constructed various drawing machines from the components of analogue bombsight computers. Henry was fascinated by the swinging motion of the machines and adapted them to accommodate pen and paper. His drawing machines were operated electronically, but could not be programmed.
Bibliographic reference
Owens, Susan, The Art of Drawing British Masters and Methods since 1600, V&A Publishing, London, 2013, p. 183, fig. 145
Other number
036-2-62 M-S-B-B-W-H - Previous owner's number
Collection
Accession number
E.377-2009

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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