Wycliffe Reading his Translation of the Bible - Study for Legs of John of Gaunt and two Studies of Feet for Wycliffe1847 Accession number: 1906P728 Black chalk on paper. Width: 340 Height: 285 InformationThe pairs of feet are for the central figure of Wycliffe in Brown's painting 'Wycliffe reading his Translation of the Bible to John of Gaunt, in the Presence of Chaucer and Gower' (1848, oil on canvas, Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford). The legs are for the reclining figure of John of Gaunt who sits on the right. Brown's diary entry for 7 January 1848 most likely refers to this particular drawing. He records that 'Maitland came drew a study of his legs for John of Gaunt till ½ past 3, dined, called on my aunt. Maitland came at 6 drew at his feet for Wycliff till ½ past 8' (Virginia Surtees, ed., 'The Diary of Ford Madox Brown,' p. 24). Maitland was a professional model who was employed by several of the Pre-Raphaelites. The shadow behind the top pair of feet for Wycliffe attest to the late time of day Brown drew them, candlelight perhaps throwing a more severe shadow than the one which can be seen the final painting which is depicted in bright sunlight. Brown has signed and dated this drawing 1847 but this may well be a case of Brown back dating or indicates that he made additional studies in 1848.LM
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