Artwork

drawing from Ionides Album

drawing from Ionides Album, by Ionides, 1850
drawing from Ionides Album, by Ionides, 1850

drawing from Ionides Album is a drawing by Ionides. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

A drawing on folio 54v of the Ionides Album portrays a figure in a landscape. The subject, a man with a hat and short skirt, stands prominently in the foreground, holding a long object in his right hand. The scene is set against a backdrop of hills, trees, and distant water.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, possibly a giant due to the implied scale of the held club, is captured in a moment of contemplation or prelude to action, suggested by stance and facial expression. The landscape context may imply a narrative or symbolic element, though the specific meaning remains ambiguous.

Technique & Style

The drawing showcases the use of cross-hatching, a method where closely drawn parallel lines intersect at varying angles to achieve shading and texture, adding depth to the composition.

History & Provenance

Housed in the Ionides Album, a maroon leather-bound collection with gold tooling, containing prints and drawings on varied colored papers, dating to the 18th or early 19th century.

Context

The album's eclectic mix of media and the drawing's style suggest it might be part of a broader artistic exploration or collection practice common during its time, though the drawing's specific inspiration or influence is not immediately clear.

Legacy

As part of the Ionides Album, the drawing contributes to the historical record of artistic techniques and collecting practices of its era, offering insights into the evolution of drawing methods like cross-hatching.

Artist & collection

Artist

Ionides

In Greek mythology, the Ionides were a sisterhood of water nymphs. Their individual names were Calliphaea, Synallasis, Pegaea and Iasis.