A study of a Classical Figure, Sir George Hayter (1792 - 1871), Venice
signed with monogram and inscribed 'Venezia' (lower right), pen and brown in, framed
17.5 x 10 cm.
Sir George Hayter was a notable English painter specialising in portraiture. Queen Victoria much appreciated his merits appointing him Principal Painter in Ordinary and awarding him a Knighthood in 1841. He trained at the Royal Academy Schools and travelled to Italy in 1816 where he met Canova, attending his studio to complete a portrait of the great Italian sculptor. The portrait now forms part of the British Governent Art Collection and is displayed at the British Embassy in Paris. During his visit to Italy, he bacame the youngest ever member of the Accademia di San Luca, Rome's premier artistic institution, no doubt having been nominated by Canova. He returned to Italy between 1826 and 1831 and it is likely that this sketch was made on one of these visits.
