Werter a tragedy for masters & misses / [graphic]
Found In:
Lewis Walpole Library > Werter a tragedy for masters & misses / [graphic]
Description
- Title
- Werter a tragedy for masters & misses / [graphic]
- Creator
- Sayers, James, 1748-1823, printmaker
- Contributor
- Cornell, Thos., active 1780-1792, publisher.
- Published / Created
- [27 March 1786]
- Publication Place
- London
- Publisher
- Publd. 27th March 1786 by T. Cornell
- Abstract
-
"A stage scene showing part of an empty stage box on the extreme right. A burlesque of F. Reynolds's 'Werter', adapted from Goethe's romance. The persons and objects on the stage have letters referring to an 'Explanation' below the design. Werter ('A') kneels before Charlotte ('B'), who is seated on a settee on the extreme left; he raises her petticoat with a passionate gesture. At Werter's feet is an open book, 'Ossian' (which he has been reading to Charlotte); she protests with raised hands (pp. 35-6 of the 1802 edition). Behind (right), Albert ('C'), in regimentals, stands with his face to the wall, his hands clasped behind his back. Two pictures ('E E') hang on the wall representing scenes from the play. In one (left) Albert lies prone; Charlotte, seated beside him, raises her arms in despair; the other is suspended from one corner, hanging crookedly; it represents Charlotte and Albert embracing. In the front of the stage (right), her back to the actors, a nude woman ('F') is seated on a low step holding a pistol to each ear. She wears a hat tied under her chin and is weeping. Above her head is an urn inscribed 'Sacred to Suicide' and a weeping willow. Across the top of the design is a scroll 'H': "To raise the Genius and to mend the Heart"."--British Museum online catalogue
"'Werter', Reynolds's first play, was acted on 14 March 1786 at Covent Garden for Miss Brunton's benefit, having been already played at Bath; Holman played Werter, Farren played Albert. According to Baker, 'Biog. Dram.', it had little success in London. According to Reynolds, 'Werter's metropolitan, was equal, if not superior, to his rural success'. He describes the tears and fainting-fits of the first night at Covent Garden (perhaps responsible for the empty stage box). 'Life and Times of Frederick Reynolds by himself', i. 304 ff.'"--Curator's comments, British Museum online catalogue
- Description
-
Title etched below image.
Signed with the monogram of James Sayers.
Five lines of text below title: Explanation, A. Werter making a very improper request to Charlotte -- B. Charlotte resenting it very properly -- C. Albert her husband very civilly taking himself off ...
Mounted on page 48 with one other print. - Provenance
- Charles W. Traylen; May 1960;
- Extent
- 1 print : plate mark 20.6 x 24.2 cm, on sheet 24.5 x 31.8 cm
- Language
-
English
Collection Information
- Repository
- Lewis Walpole Library
- Call Number
- Folio 75 Sa85 782 (Oversize)
- Collection Title
- Verso of leaf 33. Folio album of 144 caricatures.
- Collection / Other Creator
- Sayers, James, 1748-1823.
- Collection Date
- [London], [between 1782 and 1810]
Subjects, Formats, And Genres
- Genre
-
Parodies, imitations, etc
Satires (Visual works) England 1786
Etchings England London 1786 - Material
- etching with aquatint and drypoint ; and laid paper.
- Resource Type
- still image
- Subject (Name)
- Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, 1749-1832.
- Subject (Topic)
-
Pictures
Sofas
Urns - Subjects
-
Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, 1749-1832 > Parodies, imitations, etc
Pictures
Sofas
Urns
England > 1786
England > London > 1786
Eldon, John Scott, Earl of, 1751-1838 > Ownership
Sayers, James, 1748-1823 > Ownership
Access And Usage Rights
- Access
- Public
- Rights
- The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.
Identifiers
- Orbis Record
- 7692968
- Object ID (OID)
- 16194410