Drawing together

Confused exhibition at the Courtauld looking at prints and drawings from the Courtauld collection and how they have influenced living artists.

The definition of the show was clear but the pairing of works didn’t always follow the theme. I liked sketches of women by Watteau showing the detail in the draping put with a 16th century study of draping but there was no sign of a living artist there.

However there were some lovely works, regardless of the theme, such as a drawing by Mendelssohn and a beautiful picture by Il Domenichino of the back of a girl’s head with an intricate hairstyle. Also a portrait by Jenny Saville of a girl with her arms in various positions on the same picture to give a real sense of movement.

It was interesting to see a Stephen Farthing drawing commissioned for this show influenced by a drawing by Il Guerano and analysing the form and technique used in the original.

Closed on 2 January 2018

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