Sketch for an Idea of Crazy Jane
Richard Dadd (1817-86)
1855
Watercolour on paper
35.5 X 25.4 cms
©Bethlem Art and History Collections Trust
In the upper left-hand corner of this painting, after the title, come the words: "by Richard Dadd. Bethlehem Hospital. London September 6th 1855." David Greysmith rightly describes the work as "haunting and tragic," and as showing Dadd's "strong sense of design." He adds: "The figure cut off in the frame and the long meandering diagonals give the feeling of lightness and grace to this curious, lumpy and ill-proportioned woman" (86). [Cont. below]
Photograph reproduced by kind permission of the Bethlem Art and History Collections Trust.
Commentary by Jacqueline Banerjee