Wright, John Massey. [Scenes from Romeo and Juliet]

Folger bibliographic ID: 255801
Folger call number: ART Box W951 no.164
Folger holdings ID: 337816

General notes

Collection title devised by cataloger Artist: Attribution is taken from the bookseller History: Drawings were all labeled with the play title in pencil on the backings to which they were glued (these backings have been removed). One of the drawings, though it was labeled Romeo and Juliet, is quite similar in design to other works by Wright illustrating scenes to Twelfth night and Measure for measure (compare to ART Box W951 no.4, 19b and 142). The play title is probably not written in Wright's hand No act or scene divisions are given, nor is the artist noted. The first item is a mostly finished watercolor, the other two are rougher in nature. Items measure 4 3/4 x 3 1/2 in., 7 5/8 x 6 in. and 9 1/2 x 6 in. None are signed Provenance: Items were formerly part of ART Inventory 289 (no.49,50 & 46), see entry under Wright for 'Masquerade' for provenance information Subject: The first item pictures Juliet seated left of center and turned away from Romeo who is seated at right, declaring his admiration for her. A male figure in the background at left looks on. This is probably an illustration for Act I, Sc. 5 (ART Box W951 no.163). The next item is probably an illustration of the same scene. Here, however, Romeo is standing and Juliet is looking at him. There is no male figure in the background (ART Box W951 no.164). The third item shows Romeo seated next to the body of Juliet in the tomb, a man with a torch leaning over them (ART Box W951 no.165). Both no.164 and no.165 have additional drawings on their versos: no.164 a pencil and ink wash sketch of a woman who appears to have collapsed, with several people leaning over her, and no.165 a rough pencil sketch of three people, one seated, two standing

Extended title: [Scenes from Romeo and Juliet] [John Wright]

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 Romeo (Fictitious character) Juliet (Fictitious character)

artist: Wright, John Massey, 1777-1866
depiction: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616