Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys, 1832-1904
ST. DOROTHY, c. 1904
Coloured chalk on cream paper with watercolour wash
40 by 30.5cm., 15¾ by 12in.
Private collection
The model for St Dorothy was the artist's youngest daughter who was depicted several times by her father. The drawing was inspired by a poem by Sandys' friend Swinburne first published in 1866. It is possible that it was this version of St Dorothy that the artist referred to in a letter to his patron Harold Hartley in April 1904; 'I like it so much myself I should like you to have it. It still has a lot to be done - all over. The dress I shall do from an old one in Kensington Museum. It will occupy me for about a week - especially to finish the roses.' More on this painting
Dorothea of Caesarea (died ca. 311) is a 4th-century virgin martyr who was executed at Caesarea
Mazaca. Evidence for her actual historical existence or acta is very sparse.
She is called a martyr of the Diocletianic Persecution, although her death
occurred after the resignation of Diocletian himself.
She was brought before the prefect Sapricius,
tried, tortured, and sentenced to death. On her way to the place of execution
the pagan lawyer Theophilus said to her in mockery: "Bride of Christ, send
me some fruits from your bridegroom's garden." Before she was executed,
she sent him, by a six-year-old boy, her headdress which was found to be filled
with a heavenly fragrance of roses and fruits. Theophilus at once confessed
himself a Christian, was put on the rack, and suffered death. This is the
oldest version of the legend, which was later variously enlarged. More
on Dorothea of Caesarea
Anthony Frederick Augustus
Sandys (born Antonio Frederic Augustus Sands) (Norwich 1 May 1829 – 25 June
1904 London), but usually known as
Frederick Sandys, was an English Pre-Raphaelite painter, illustrator and
draughtsman, of the Victorian era. He was born in Norwich, and received his
earliest lessons in art from his father, Anthony Sands, who was himself a
painter. His early studies show that he had a natural gift for careful and
beautiful drawing. He was educated at Norwich School and later attended the
Norwich School of Design in 1846. In the same and next year his talent was
recognized by the Royal Society of Arts. More on Frederick Sandys
He began
his career as a portrait painter and antiquarian illustrator, exhibiting at the
Norwich Art Union even as a boy. He moved to London in 1851 and worked as a
draughtsman for wood engravers. Sandys was one of a group of high-calibre
artists, known as the "Illustrators of the 60s".
His carefree bohemian lifestyle saddled him with
endless debt. He abandoned his first wife, had a brief flirtation with a gypsy
girl and a long-term relationship with a young actress who bore him nine
children. More on Frederick Sandys
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