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Benjamin West
1738-1820
The Death of Cleopatra
Black chalk with stumping, on paper trimmed in a circle; laid down on a rectangular sheet.
Diameter: 6 5/16 inches (160 mm)
Purchased as the gift of Mrs. Robert H. Charles.
1970.11:234
Inscription:
Inscribed by another hand in graphite on old mount at lower right, "B. West / Study from life for the death of Cleopatra"; at lower left, "L 2.2-".
Provenance:
Estate of the artist; by descent; Harry Margary, the great-grandson of Maria West (daughter of Raphael Lamar West, and granddaughter of Benjamin West); Thos. Agnew and Sons, Ltd., London; from whom purchased 60 drawings, 17 June 1964, and 197 drawings, 15 February 1965, by M. Knoedler and Co., Inc.; from whom purchased 257 drawings by the Morgan Library in 1970.
Bibliography:
Kraemer, Ruth S. Drawings by Benjamin West and His Son, Raphael Lamar West. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 1975, no. 131.
Associated names:
Margary, Harry, former owner.
Charles, Robert H., Mrs., donor.
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