Rackham, Arthur. King Henry IV, pt. 1, act V, scene 1

Folger bibliographic ID: 255628
Folger call number: ART Box R122 no.2 recto
Folger holdings ID: 337190
Accession Number: cs1452

General notes

History: There is no evidence that this drawing was ever published. Another watercolor of a similar subject, showing King Henry VIII and courtiers, is owned by Columbia University (#C17 in their catalog: The Centenary of Arthur Rackham's Birth ... a catalogue ... New York : Columbia University Libraries, 1967). The Columbia drawing appears similar in the use of thick ink lines though it has a light floral border which the FSL drawing lacks. The Columbia catalog gives no measurements for the Henry VIII watercolor. It is possible that the Henry IV and Henry VIII were intended to illustrate an edition of Shakespeare's history plays that was never published or that they were part of a series of the English kings. None of the 1904 publications listed in Rackham bibliographies reproduce these drawings On wove paper which has been split from a brittle illustration board by the Conservation lab. Verso of the board had pencil sketches on it and was also split and has been cataloged separately. Formerly housed in a mat which was labeled in pencil on inside of mat: 'Henry IV 1st part. Act V Sc. I Original Drawing by Arthur Rackham'. Signed on a painted scroll, bottom left corner of drawing, in ink Provenance: Purchased by the Folgers from Maggs Bros., August, 1925 Subject: Drawing depicts an elderly king (Henry IV) in a red robe and crown, right of center, walking on a white rug, his arms extended. Above him is a black flag bearing the royal arms of England. In front and to the left of the king is a young page who points with his right hand and holds a sandwhich with his left. At left and behind the king are three men, two in medieval armor (Worcester and the Prince). A large man (Falstaff) drinks from a tankard, back right and another man stands holding a red flag. A dog is pictured in the foreground and a rat sits on a scroll which bears Rackham's signature, lower left This record contains unverified data from old cards and may contain incorrect or incomplete text. Please consult Curator for assistance Also available as a digital reproduction

Extended title: King Henry IV, pt. 1, act V, scene 1 Arthur Rackham

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. King Henry IV Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 Falstaff, John, Sir (Fictitious character) Worcester, Thomas Percy, Earl of, 1343-1403 Henry IV, King of England, 1367-1413 Henry V, King of England, 1387-1422

artist: Rackham, Arthur, 1867-1939
depiction: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
depiction: Worcester, Thomas Percy, Earl of, 1343-1403
depiction: Henry IV, King of England, 1367-1413
depiction: Henry V, King of England, 1387-1422