William
Walcot R.E., Hon.R.I.B.A.
(Odessa
1874 – 1943 Ditchling, Sussex)
A Tragedy of Sophocles at Hardian's Villa
A Tragedy of Sophocles at Hardian's Villa
Dickins 1, EH-L 14
437 x 466 mm
Original etching with aquatint, 1913.
Signed in pencil.
£650
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Additional
Information about the Print
An impression was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1913,
at the Fine Art Society in 1914 and at James Connell in 1918
Illustrated in the Studio book Masters of Etching : William Walcot, 1927 Salaman’s commentary is ,
“In A Tragedy of Sophocles at Hadrian’s Villa we see the far-travelled emperor, who having built everywhere,
seen and done everything, is seeking in his great villa at Tivoli to be reminded of the culture which
his beloved Athens was wont to give him. So he dreams back into the Greek theatre he has built there – based
perhaps on the theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus at Athens, and comes there in state, splendidly attended,
though not to see one of the currently popular comedies of Menander, but a tragedy of Sophocles, the
Oedipus Rex which in Athens is no longer fashionable. The performance is proceeding in the Orchestra,
while lights flare from the Thymele, and the auditorium is but scantily filled, except where Hadrian’s personal state
demands pomp and circumstance, but the great columns stand majestic against the cypresses, and the semi-circular
galleries, beautifully decorated with their statues on pedestals, add an aspect of graciousness to the marmoreal effect
touched to life with moving togas. This etching is planned so that, not only are we seeing a particular play,
but the whole spirit of Greek tragedy is living before us.”
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