Westall, William. Timon of Athens, act IV, scene III, Timon, Alcibiades, Phrynia & Timandra

Folger bibliographic ID: 255937
Folger call number: ART Box W522.5 no.1
Folger holdings ID: 338154
Accession Number: cs1383

General notes

Title derived from penned note on mat Artist: Bookseller attributed drawing to Richard Westall, the older brother of William. The picture, however, concentrates on the landscape of the scene and minimalizes the figures. If it is by a Westall it is more likely by William who painted numerous landscapes in watercolor. Item looks somewhat similar to reproductions by the Westalls in Mallalieu but is dissimilar to other works by Richard Westall in the FSL collection. The bookseller notes item as executed c1790, however if it was done by William it probably post dates 1800. William Westall worked in the style of traditional English topographical draughtsman. This style is evidenced in the Timon watercolor Item is backed to a board which has a brown ink title (Maggs Bros. fashion) identifying the play and scene. The backing has a J Whatman watermark, the date of which is cut off or not visible. There is no artist identification on the backing. Type of paper on which drawing is executed cannot be determined because item is mounted solidly to backing (probably woven paper). Unsigned Provenance: Item was purchased by the Folgers from Maggs Bros. in Feb., 1925, as the work of Richard Westall. Information was confused on case list and work was cataloged under John Masey Wright (ART Box W951 no.38) Subject: Drawing pictures the mouth of Timon's cave at left. In front of the opening stands Timon, holding a shovel and gesturing with his left hand. He is turned away from three figures at right of him, Phrynia and Timandra who kneel begging for gold with their aprons raised, and Alcibiades who stands erect in military dress. The majority of the picture, however, is taken up by landscape, trees, the shoreline and mountains in the background. Also in the background is a line of soldiers along the edge of rocks and wood right of center. The caption on the backing gives the scene as Act IV, Sc. 3 and gives the following quotation Tim: 'Thou spok'st well of me. Alcib: Call'st that harm? Tim: Men daily find it such. Get thee away, and take thy beagles with thee' This record contains unverified data from old cards and may contain incorrect or incomplete text. Please consult Curator for assistance

Extended title: Timon of Athens, act IV, scene III, Timon, Alcibiades, Phrynia & Timandra [William Westall]

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Timon of Athens Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 Timon of Athens (Legendary character) Phrynia (Fictitious character) Timandra (Fictitious character) Landscapes Alcibiades

artist: Westall, William, 1781-1850
depiction: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
depiction: Alcibiades
artist: Westall, Richard, 1765-1836