RICHARD DADD (1817-1886)
Biography
Sketch to Illustrate the Passions. Deceit or Duplicity (England, 1854)
Not for Sale
Watercolour on paper
Dimensions
36.00cm high
25.70cm wide
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Description / Expertise
In this enigmatic scene, the main subject at least seems clear: an ugly old woman hides behind the mask of a sweet young girl. Or is Dadd suggesting that in a world full of deceit and duplicity, even a sweet young girl will turn out to be corrupt beneath her mask? In the little drawing depicting the temptation of Eve, it must surely be significant that the serpent’s head resembles Dadd’s father: but what precisely is the significance? And why is this picture stuck on the side of the curious chair, which seems to be some sort of masterpiece of paper sculpture? And where is it all happening?
