Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (German, 1794-1872). The Entombment of Christ (Study for a stained glass window). Ink on t...

Description

Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (German, 1794-1872)
The Entombment of Christ (Study for a stained glass window)
Ink on tracing paper
7-1/4 x 9-7/8 inches (18.4 x 25.1 cm) (sheet)

Property from the William A. Glaser Collection

PROVENANCE:
Private collection, Hamburg;
Christie's South Kensington, London, April 25, 2007, lot 466;
Acquired by the present owner from the above.

LITERATURE:
S. Seeliger, et al, Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld: Zeichnungen, Munich, 1994, pp. 176-177, no. 75, illustrated in color (subsequent study in watercolor);
D. von Hellermann, "Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld: Die Glasfer sterentwürfe für die St. Paulskirche in London," Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld und die Kunst der Romantik, Greifswald, September 30-October 3, 1994, pp. 132-144.

The present work is a preparative study for one of seven stained glass windows commissioned of Schnorr for St. Paul's cathedral in London. Schnorr designed The Conversion of Saint Paul for the west end of the church, plus six scenes from the life of Christ. Of the seven, only four were executed. The Entombment of Christ, depicted in the present work, was among those left incomplete, known only through a handful of Schnorr's surviving designs.

Schnorr's composition draws from that of Raphael, but presents a less dramatic scene of sorrow; his many figures are elegantly reserved, lingering quietly over the open grave, absorbed in the depths of their grief. This large group is seen again in one of two other known preparative designs for the window as noted by Hellermann; the other drawings, dated 1862, are more developed and feature wash and watercolor, suggesting that this simple ink version may be an even earlier exploration of the subject.

On the occasion of the sale of this work by Christie's, the attribution to Schnorr was confirmed by Professor Dr. Helmut Börsch-Supan.


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