Petruchio throws the meat about the floor

Folger bibliographic ID: 255657
Folger call number: Use item's call number to search Digital Image Collection (direct link to come)
Folger holdings ID: 337288

General notes

History: The drawing, originally executed in 1899, has been modified by the artist's hand for a later 1909 edition of Lamb's Tales. Changes can be seen in the clothing and the right leg of Petruchio and in the correction of the date where '99' has been whited out and the date now reads '1899 & 1909'. The drawing was executed for a publication of Lamb's Tales, printed by Dent in 1899 and 1906 and reissued with modifications in 1909. The color was added in 1909, the illustration having appeared as a black and white print measuring 5 x 3 inches in the earlier editions. In the 1909 special edition the illustration appeared as a three color reproduction, measuring 6 9/16 x 4 in., tipped onto a leaf facing p.166 On tissue which has been glued to artist's illustration board. Wash bleeds over ink border and edge of tissue onto board. Pencil cropping marks on board and on tissue. In pencil at bottom of board, recto: 'The Taming of the Shrew (Lamb's Tales) / 7 Act IV Sc. 1 / Petruchio throws the meat about the floor.' In pencil at right on board: '4 3/4 inches' On verso of board in blue pencil: 8037A. In pencil: 428 / 86 / Scheuer/ no 11 / A Rackham ; in ink: B.8. Drawing has been removed from a frame in which it was housed in a French mat. The paper backing for the frame bore a paper label from Alwin J. Scheuer with artist, title and price. Signed in ink, lower right corner: A Rackham 1899 & 1909 Provenance: Drawing was purchased by the Folgers from N.Y. bookseller Alwin J. Scheuer, April 30, 1930. The drawings sold by Scheuer were said to have been acquired by him from the artist Published work: Lamb, Charles. Tales from Shakespeare ... London: Dent, 1899 Published work: Lamb, Charles. Tales from Shakespeare, by Charles and Mary Lamb. London: J.M. Dent & Co. ; New York : E.P. Dutton, 1906 (Everyman's Library) Published work: Lamb, Charles. Tales from Shakespeare, by Charles and Mary Lamb. New edition. London, Dent, 1909 Subject: The central figure in the drawing is Petruchio whose fists are raised in the air and whose right leg kicks at a plate. A leg of mutton, a broken plate and a knife lie on the ground. In the background are Katherine and a male figure. Scene depicted is Act IV, Sc. 1, Taming of the shrew. The caption in the 1906 edition reads: 'Petruchio, pretending to find fault with every dish, threw the meat about the floor'

Extended title: Petruchio throws the meat about the floor A. Rackham, 1899 & 1909

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Taming of the shrew
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
Petruchio (Fictitious character : Shakespeare. Taming of the shrew)
Katherine (Fictitious character : Shakespeare)

artist: Rackham, Arthur, 1867-1939
depiction: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616