Wright, John Massey. [A scene from All's well that ends well]

General notes

Collection title devised by cataloger History: Although Wright is noted as a prolific book illustrator cataloger unable to locate an engraving or illustration by him which resembles this design Items have the play title labeled in pencil on the backings to which they are glued. The first item is a highly finished watercolor. The other two items are rough watercolors, one having pencil indications noticeably visible. There is a penciled note 'All's Well' and '15' in the lower right corner of the 2nd item and an indecipherable number in the lower left of the third item. All three are approximately 9 5/8 x 7 5/8 in. and unsigned Provenance: Drawings are part of a collection of 122 Shakespearean watercolors, most of which are attributed to Wright. The collection was purchased from a private owner by 'Sabin' ca. 1898 and sold to the Folgers by Gabriel Wells, April 28, 1920 (formerly ART Inventory 289 no.99,98,48 - Case 889) Subject: All three items depict the same scene from All's well, Act I, Sc. 3, Helena and Countess Rosillion. In the first two drawings the Countess is seated left of center in a black morning dress, holding a kerchief in her left hand. Her right hand holds the right hand of Helena who stands right of center in a pink dress with her left hand raised to her chin and her face turned away from the Countess. The third drawing is set up similarly to the first two but the positioning is reversed and the colors vary. This third drawing is labeled with the titles of both All's well and Romeo and Juliet. The background varies in all three drawings 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