Art Funded by you

Innocence

Thomas Cooper Gotch, c. 1904

This work is a representation of innocence and experience as well as being a portrait of Gotch's daughter. Gotch explained it as the child 'standing alone and unafraid in the innermost, horridest home of the Dragon, called the World, who is powerless against her innocence'. The artist spent a substantial amount of time researching the dragon in books on heraldry and the result is a major contribution to symbolist painting. GotchÂ’s daughter became the Marquise de Verdieres, and established a successful career as a concert singer. In later life she played a leading and energetic role in stopping the Newlyn slum clearances by the council, thus retaining the Cornish townÂ’s picturesque charm which is still enjoyed today.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Innocence, c. 1904

Date supported

2010

Medium and material

Watercolour on paper

Dimensions

23 x 19 cm

Grant

20000

Total cost

32000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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