[Rough drawings (large) for scenes from Shakespeare] [graphic] / [John Wright].

[Rough drawings (large) for scenes from Shakespeare] [graphic] / [John Wright].

[late 18th century or 19th century]

5 drawings : watercolor over pencil indications ; 265 x 313 mm or smaller.

paper

Collection title devised by cataloger.

Artist: Attribution taken from bookseller and initials on one item.

History: The rough drawing of Antony and Cleopatra is similar in design to a finished watercolor by Wright which is much smaller in size (ART Box W951 no.79 - cataloged with 'Illustrations to Shakespeare - small rectangle series'). Of the 200 or so watercolors by Wright in the FSL collection, the rough drawing for Pericles which is part of this group is the only item illustrating that play.

Drawings have all been removed from backings - previously one item was hinged to a backing and enclosed in a mat, the other four were glued to their backings. All five backings were labeled in pencil with the play title. The hinged item had the artist's name in pencil on verso along with a penciled note 'no' and some rough pencil sketches of figures. Most of the drawings are executed with wide brush strokes and some have white opaque or tempera on their surface. The drawing for Merchant of Venice has some ink outlining and is labeled and signed in pencil on the surface though most of the signature has been clipped. The other four items are unsigned. Measurements vary.

Provenance: ART Box W951 no.120 was formerly part of ART Inventory 286 (no.23), see entry under Wright for 'Comedy and tragedy' for provenance information. ART Box W951 no.121,122,123,124 were formerly part of ART Inventory 289 (no.58,113,40,80), see entry under Wright for 'Masquerade' for provenance information.

Subject: Drawings depict the following: Pericles, Prince of Tyre - four women standing and a soldier (ART Box W951 no.120) ; The tempest - Ferdinand and Miranda seated on a log with Prospero watching in the background (ART Box W951 no.121) ; Hamlet - Hamlet and the Ghost with Horatio and Marcellus at left, Act I, Sc. 4 (ART Box W951 no.122) ; Merchant of Venice - the court room scene (ART Box W951 no.123) ; Antony and Cleopatra - the death of Antony (ART Box W951 no.124). Nos. 121-123 have additional pencil sketches on the reverse, 121 and 123 are unrecognizable scenes, 122 depicts Bottom in his first appearance with the donkey's head.

Digital image(s) of Folger Shakespeare Library ART Box W951 no.120
Digital image(s) of Folger Shakespeare Library ART Box W951 no.124
Digital image(s) of Folger Shakespeare Library ART Box W951 no.121
Digital image(s) of Folger Shakespeare Library ART Box W951 no.122
Digital image(s) of Folger Shakespeare Library ART Box W951 no.123

Great Britain -- England.

ART Box W951 no.120 (size S)

ART Box W951 no.121 (size S)

ART Box W951 no.122 (size S)

ART Box W951 no.123 (size S)

ART Box W951 no.124 (size S)