The tapestry "The Holy Grail" woven by Morris & Co from 1895 consists of six panels illustrating the legend of King Arthur in the quest for the Holy Grail. The panel that interests us "The Vision of the Holy Grail" was presented in 1893 to the "Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society" in London, before being hung with the other five panels in the dining room of the sponsor until his death in the 1920s. The whole was then sold and dispersed. "The Vision of the Holy Grail" is today preserved in the Birmingham Museum in London. The cards for the characters are made by Edward Burne-Jones. We recognize Sir Galahad kneeling before the Holy Grail placed on the altar behind which three angels are watching. Our drawing is preparatory for the head of the angel located at the far right. Mrs. Elisa Korb knows studies for the heads of the other two angels.
Provenance Private collection, Palermo. Acquired in 1986 by the current owner at the David Shaff Fine Arts gallery, United States. The drawing would have been given by the artist to his friend Dante Gabriel Rossetti then by descendants.