The collections of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam have been rapidly digitised over the past decade, and images and descriptions are still being added to the online database. A recent search resulted in some drawings by Shannon unknown to me, the most interesting being the oldest. [See the Shannon results on the website of the Rijksmuseum Collection.]
Around 1890, Shannon was still experimenting with different media such as pencil or charcoal drawings, watercolour and silverpoint drawings, although he soon settled for lithographs and oil paintings.
An early silverpoint drawing has turned up in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. It has never before been reproduced.
 |
| Charles Shannon, silverpoint drawing of a seated woman (1890) |
The drawing on paper (173 by 244 mm) was acquired by the Rijksmuseum in 1949 (object no. RP-T-1949-553); the image is described as: 'Seated woman with gown and arms spread'.
The image recalls early lithographs such as ‘Biondina’ featuring women in evening wear, but it is rare for Shannon to depict a solitary figure frontally (F.H. Neville, Esq. from 1915 being an exception). Also unusual is that she is not engaged in an activity, like most of the female figures in the early lithographic portraits or idyllic scenes, although she could be engaged in needlework or a similar activity - the vagueness of the image does not allow us to reach a conclusion. However, only her left arm is outstretched, her right arm is held in front of her chest.
[See next week's blog!]
