Samuel Middiman, ca. 1750–1831, Britishafter Joseph Wright of Derby, 1734–1797, British, active in Italy (1773–75)
Title:
Shakespeare's Winter Tale Act III Scene III
Date:
1794
Materials & Techniques:
Etching and line engraving on thick, rough, cream laid paper
Dimensions:
Sheet: 21 3/8 × 26 9/16 inches (54.3 × 67.5 cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
Lettered, lower center: "SHAKSPEARE. | Winter's Tale. | ACT III.SCENE III. | Publish'd June 4 1794 by John & Josiah Boydell, at the Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall & Cheapside."; letterd, lower left: "Painted by Js. Wright. | Clo. I would you did but see how it chases, how it rages, | how it takes up the shore but that's not to the point: Oh' the most | pitious cry of the poor souls sometimes to see'em and not to see'em: | now the shop boring the moon with her main-mast; and anon | swallow'd with yest and froth, as you'd thrust a cork into a hogshead | And then for the land service.--To see how the bear tore out."; lettered, lower right: "Engrav'd by S. Middiman. | his shoulder-bone; how he cry'd to me for help, and said, his name | was Antigonus, a nobleman;--but to make an end of the ship | to see how the sea flap-dragon'd it;---but first how the poor souls | roar'd and the sea mock'd them;--and how the poor gentleman | roar'd, and the bear mock'd him, both roaring louder than | the sea, or weather."
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection