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Double Study for ‘Earthbound’, reclining female figure

Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn

Double study for ‘Earthbound’, featuring a nude and clothed figure in the same seated pose. Associate painting in collection: ‘Earthbound’, P_EDM_0009

Study of the head of Jane Morris in old age

Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn

Study of Jane Morris. Pastel on paper, laid down on canvas. Head and shoulders study of Jane Morris (1839-1914) in old age, facing frontally, her head resting on a blue cushion and inclined slightly to left and looking down, wearing a dress with round necked collar and a fine white shawl. This is a recognisable portrait study of Jane Morris drawn in her later life. As well as being a portrait, the pastel is also a study for the large allegorical painting ‘The Hour Glass’ (1904-5) although in the final oil painting the figure is transformed from a representative likeness into a stylised anonymous figure. According to Mrs Stirling, the artist’s sister, “Mrs De Morgan painted Mrs Morris twice, once in a fancy portrait entitled The Hour Glass and once as an ordinary British Matron in everyday clothes”, the present study. Jane Morris had been a friend of the De Morgans for many years, and at this period they were among her closest surviving friends.

Study of a flying female figure in drapery associated with ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’

Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn

Study by Evelyn De Morgan of a flying female figure draped in blue cloth. Associated with her oil painting ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’. Pastel on paper. Associated study in the collection: D_EDM_0181

Compositional study for ‘1914’

Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn

This is a compositional study for an oil painting, painted by Evelyn at the outbreak of World War I. The picture is filled with foreboding and was described by the artist as ‘The threatening horror dawning on Peace and Plenty’. The work depicts two female figures, dressed in classical attire, being threatened by a devilish spirit. In the final painting the symbolic attributes of corn and laurel leaves are added, making it apparent the two figures are allegorical representations of peace and plenty. However, in reflection of the predicted suffering which will come, following the announcement of the outbreak of war, Plenty’s corn is reduced to a single sheaf and Peace’s laurel wreath has been ripped from her neck.

Studies of arms held up high, associated with ‘Realities’

Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn

Studies by Evelyn De Morgan of two pairs of arms held aloft, in pastel on a single sheet of brown paper. In preparation for her oil painting ‘Realities’, destroyed by fire while in art storage warehouse.

Studies of hands associated with ‘Victoria Dolorosa’ and ‘St Christina’

Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn

Seven hand studies in pastel on a single sheet of green paper. Associated with ‘Victoria Dolorosa’, hands holding ring.

Study of a male head for ‘1914’

Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn

Hand-written label removed from the frame of the black and gold study for ‘Earthbound’

Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn

Fragment of a hand written label by Evelyn De Morgan removed from the frame of the compositional drawing for Earthbound’. Written in ink the label states “Earth Bound price £15, Evelyn De Morgan, The Vale, Kings Road, Chelsea. On the reverse the following text can be seen “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness”