Rysbrack, John Michael (1693 – 1770) – Figures Making Offerings at a Classical Altar

Rysbrack was Flemish but spent much of his working life in Britain. He was one of the great sculptors of the eighteenth century. This fine drawing is conceived as a sculptural relief. A stylistically identical and clearly related drawing showing a priest at an altar is in Christchurch Art Gallery, New Zealand (69/261) and similar compositions, designed and coloured as reliefs, were sold at Sotheby's 5th July, 2013 (Lot.352).