Inscribed on the verso in pen and brown ink '……. van alle Wetenschappen' (….. of all sciences)

Pen and brown ink and brown wash

148 x 205 mm. (5 7/8 x 8 1/8 in.)

Our drawing was once in the famous collection of Sir John Charles Robinson, an art critic and museum director. In 1847 he was appointed director of the School of Art Hanley. From 1853 to 1869, he organized and directed the Museum of Fine Arts (Art mainly industrial), first established in Marlborough House, and then transferred to South Kensington. During his travels on the continent, he sought, successfully, for the museum, specimens of decorative art in all ages, and acquired many works in marble, bronze, majolica and earthenware; he knew gain the favor of buying the collection Gigli-Campana. Even after leaving the museum, he continued to look to buy for this institute. In 1861 he became Inspector General of art treasures of the crown in 1882 and Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures, a position he held for nearly 20 years until the death of Queen Victoria. He founded, with Seymour Haden, the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers, "which he became an honorary member, was" Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (FSA). He exposed himself, from 1847 to 1881 at the Royal Academy, the "Grosvenor Gallery" and other exhibitions of landscapes, he has a few etchings, which resemble those of Seymour Haden. Collector of paintings, Italian marbles, medals, bronzes, Sir John Robinson was also particularly well-versed in drawing, he sought all his life, sometimes selling what he had gathered, to start then. He was the advisor to several well-known fans, including Sir Francis Cook, of Richmond, and John Malcolm, he wrote the catalogue of drawings. He also took part in the formation of the collection Cronberg, assembled by the Empress Friedrich (down-Kron Prinzessin) and her husband. In 1902, when he parted with the last part of his collection of drawings, he also sell his paintings and objects d'art.

Martin Royalton-Kisch has suggested that the present drawing is stylistically reminiscent of Abraham van Dyck (circa 1635-1672)1. Both Gregory Rubinstein and Peter Schatborn think the drawing is from the circle of Rembrandt2.

1.Written communication 20 October 2005.

2.Written communication 19 October 2005.

1.Written communication 20 October 2005

2.Written communication 19 October 2005