Lot 109: Richard Dadd (1817-1886)

The Castillian Spring at Delphi, Greece
numbered '7.' (lower left) signed 'Rich^d. Dadd' and with inscription 'DELPHI spring castalian [sic]' (on the reverse)
pencil and watercolour
10 1/8 x 7 in. (25.7 x 18 cm.)

London, Tate Gallery, The Late Richard Dadd, 1974-5, no. 76, illustrated, lent by A Matthews.

The Artist's brother and by descent in the family to Capt. R.H. Dadd, 1972.
Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 24 November 1977, no. 73.

Richard Dadd visited Delphi on 24 August 1843. He wrote to David Roberts, R.A., saying 'We visited the Castilian Fountain and drank of its inspiring waters. Alas! how this place has changed! Where formerly the priestess raved out the oracle of the deity, now angry washerwomen rave out an intolerable jargon of abuse at each other. The waters, once deemed full of inspiration, are now full of frogs and watercresses; and I think, from the repute in which the place is held by the people of the present day, that the goddess might be obliged to sell those same watercresses for her living'
Another sketch of the same subject is in the Dadd sketchbook, Victoria and Albert Museum.

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