The immortal light of genius

Folger bibliographic ID: 254907
Folger call number: Use item's call number to search Digital Image Collection (direct link to come)
Folger holdings ID: 334986

General notes

History: According to the Paine biography, Nast was in England in 1894, with Sir Henry Irving at the Beefsteak Club. Irving 'invited Nast to make a painting which would convey his devotion to the immortal dramatist' (Paine, Albert Bigelow. 'Nast, his period and his pictures', 1904). Nast submitted this sketch to Irving and consequently painted an oil of it. The oil is also in the FSL collection. A replica of the painting was said to have been given by Mrs. Nast to the Shakespeare Memorial at Stratford, however, the catalog of the Memorial Picture Gallery, published in 1970, does not list it. For correspondence relating to this painting see Irving's letters to Sarah and Thomas Nast [Y.c. 485 (69-71)] and William Winter's letters to Nast [Y.c. 573 (68-70)] in FSL manuscript collection. (Paine notes the painting as presented to the Winter Memorial on Staten Island. The Winter correspondence and the Folger purchase seem to indicate that the painting was only loaned.) Provenance: Drawing was purchased from James Tregaskis, listed in his catalogue no.592 of 1906. Item is listed as no.523 in that catalogue and is noted as coming from the collection of Sir Henry Irving Subject: Drawing shows a darkened room with the bust of Shakespeare (after the Stratford monument) glowing white, set slightly left of center. Two figures (possibly representing the spirits of tragedy and comedy) are pictured at right, paying homage to the bust with wreaths. The room seems to represent the room in which Shakespeare was born This record contains unverified data from old cards and may contain incorrect or incomplete text. Please consult Curator for assistance Title from ink note underneath drawing (in Nast's hand) on Folger copy. Title continues: '- by Th. Nast. 1895/ For Sir Henry Irving - with compliments of the artist.' Pencil notations, relating to provenance, on verso of backing Also available as a digital reproduction

Extended title: The immortal light of genius Th. Nast

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616

artist: Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902
depiction: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
former owner: Irving, Henry, Sir, 1838-1905