Artist: Attribution is taken from pencil note on Folger copy and bookseller. Work is similar in style to other watercolors attributed to Westall
Drawing is, at present mounted solidly to artist's board which is labeled in pencil, lower right: 'The Tempest by R. Westall R.A.' and on verso, center: 'The Tempest'. Surface of the watercolor is abraided. Unsigned
History: Westall was a prolific book illustrator, illustrating Shakespeare, Milton, Crabbe, Moore and Gray as well as the Bible and contributing to literary annuals such as The keepsake. This design was probably done for illustration though it has not yet been traced to an engraved image
Provenance: Drawing was purchased as part of a collection of 122 watercolors of Shakespearean scenes, from a private owner by 'Sabin', ca. 1898 and sold to the Folgers by Gabriel Wells, April 28, 1920. Most of the items in the collection were attributed to John Masey Wright. (Formerly ART Inv. 289 no.105 - Case 889)
Subject: Drawing shows a woman in left foreground, standing on a rock, wearing a Grecian gown and headdress, her left arm extended to right, her right holding her train. In background, at right, an old man stands, his arm around a weeping younger man. The two appear to be walking towards the viewer, away from a shoreline. The drawing is colored in shades of brown. Although labeled 'The tempest', drawing does not reflect the usual depiction of Miranda seeing Ferdinand for the first time (Prospero is usually depicted standing with Miranda) and this design is probably illustrative of another subject
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