Popular Entertainment

This Museum's popular entertainment collections hold some of the Smithsonian's most beloved artifacts. The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz reside here, along with the Muppet character Kermit the Frog, and props from popular television series such as M*A*S*H and All in the Family. But as in many of the Museum's collections, the best-known objects are a small part of the story.

The collection also encompasses many other artifacts of 19th- and 20th-century commercial theater, film, radio, and TV—some 50,000 sound recordings dating back to 1903; posters, publicity stills, and programs from films and performances; puppets; numerous items from World's Fairs from 1851 to 1992; and audiovisual materials on Groucho Marx, to name only a few.

White on black lithograph of American opera singer, Marian Anderson (1897-1993).
Description

White on black lithograph of American opera singer, Marian Anderson (1897-1993). The print is marked:

[in script along bottom]

MARIAN ANDERSON

[in script]

Charles Delaunay
34

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians by Charles Delauney, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1939
depicted
Anderson, Marian
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.02
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.02
White on black lithograph of American jazz singer, trumpeter, dancer and bandleader of swing, Freddy Taylor (1914-1970). 3/4 profile of Taylor wearing a hat. No signature or number/year on print.
Description

White on black lithograph of American jazz singer, trumpeter, dancer and bandleader of swing, Freddy Taylor (1914-1970). 3/4 profile of Taylor wearing a hat. No signature or number/year on print. The print is marked:

FREDDY TAYLOR

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians by Charles Delauney, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939
depicted
Taylor, Freddy
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.03
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.02
White on black lithograph of American jazz pianist, Joe Turner (1907-1990). The portrait features the head and hands of Turner as he would be seated at a piano.
Description

White on black lithograph of American jazz pianist, Joe Turner (1907-1990). The portrait features the head and hands of Turner as he would be seated at a piano. The print is marked:

[in script, top left]

JOE TURNER

[in script]

Charles Delaunay
35

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians by Charles Delauney, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1939
depicted
Turner, Joe
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.07
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.07
White on black lithograph of American jazz trumpeter, composer, vocalist, and actor Louis Armstrong (1901-1971). The portrait is a close-up of Armstrong's face.
Description

White on black lithograph of American jazz trumpeter, composer, vocalist, and actor Louis Armstrong (1901-1971). The portrait is a close-up of Armstrong's face. The print is marked:

[printed along bottom]

LOUIS

[in script, bottom right]

LOUIS ARMSTRONG

[in script]

Charles Delaunay
34

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians by Charles Delauney, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1939
depicted
Armstrong, Louis
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.12
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.12
This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American jazz tenor saxophonist Lester Young (1909-1959) entitled Good-bye Porkpie Hat.
Description

This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American jazz tenor saxophonist Lester Young (1909-1959) entitled Good-bye Porkpie Hat. Print number 10/10.

Peter Bodge is a jazz drummer, art teacher, and printmaker in Massachusetts. Bodge creates linoleum prints and other works on paper. His work most often features portraits, action shots semi-abstract interpretations of such famous jazz musicians, such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Elllngton , Count Basie and John Coltrane. In 1977, Bodge created a short animated film based on the life of Charlie Parker entitled Bird Lives!:

https://www.cambridgecollege.edu/bird-lives-film-peter-bodge

Location
Currently not on view
printing date
1985
depicted
Young, Lester
artist
Bodge, Peter
ID Number
1989.0025.02
catalog number
1989.0025.02
accession number
1989.0025
White on black lithograph of American jazz tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins (1904-1969). The image is of Hawkins, in profile, holding a saxophone on his lap. The print is on a cardboard backing.
Description

White on black lithograph of American jazz tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins (1904-1969). The image is of Hawkins, in profile, holding a saxophone on his lap. The print is on a cardboard backing. The lithograph is marked:

[printed along bottom]

HAWKINS

[in script at bottom]

Coleman Hawkins

[in script]/p>

Charles Delauney
3[ ]

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939
depicted
Hawkins, Coleman
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.06
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.06
This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1982. It is a portrait of American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, and singer John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (1917–1993) entitled Dizzy!
Description

This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1982. It is a portrait of American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, and singer John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (1917–1993) entitled Dizzy! Print number 10/10.

Peter Bodge is a jazz drummer, art teacher, and printmaker in Massachusetts. Bodge creates linoleum prints and other works on paper. His work most often features portraits, action shots semi-abstract interpretations of such famous jazz musicians, such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Elllngton , Count Basie and John Coltrane. In 1977, Bodge created a short animated film based on the life of Charlie Parker entitled Bird Lives!:

https://www.cambridgecollege.edu/bird-lives-film-peter-bodge

This print was featured on the 2002 poster for the Smithsonian's Jazz Appreciation Month.

https://americanhistory.si.edu/smithsonian-jazz/jazz-appreciation-month/jazz-appreciation-month-posters

Location
Currently not on view
printing date
1982
depicted
Gillespie, Dizzy
artist
Bodge, Peter
ID Number
1989.0025.03
catalog number
1989.0025.03
accession number
1989.0025
This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American jazz and swing drummer and bandleader William Henry "Chick" Webb (1905–1939) entitled Stompin’ at the Savoy.
Description

This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American jazz and swing drummer and bandleader William Henry "Chick" Webb (1905–1939) entitled Stompin’ at the Savoy. Print 1/10.

Peter Bodge is a jazz drummer, art teacher, and printmaker in Massachusetts. Bodge creates linoleum prints and other works on paper. His work most often features portraits, action shots semi-abstract interpretations of such famous jazz musicians, such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Elllngton , Count Basie and John Coltrane. In 1977, Bodge created a short animated film based on the life of Charlie Parker entitled Bird Lives!:

https://www.cambridgecollege.edu/bird-lives-film-peter-bodge

Location
Currently not on view
printing date
1986
depicted
Web, Chick
artist
Bodge, Peter
ID Number
2003.0359.02
accession number
2003.0359
catalog number
2003.0359.02
White on black lithograph of Belgian-born Romani-French jazz guitarist and composer Jean Reinhardt (1910-1953), known by his stage name Django Reinhardt. The image is of Django playing guitar. The print is mounted on a cardboard backing.
Description

White on black lithograph of Belgian-born Romani-French jazz guitarist and composer Jean Reinhardt (1910-1953), known by his stage name Django Reinhardt. The image is of Django playing guitar. The print is mounted on a cardboard backing. The lithograph is marked:

[printed along bottom]

DJANGO

[in script at top]

Django R

[in script]/p>

Charles Delauney
3[ ]

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939
depicted
Reinhardt, Django
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.05
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.05
Image of nine musicians playing a cornet, a piano, four saxophones, and three trombones.
Description

Image of nine musicians playing a cornet, a piano, four saxophones, and three trombones. The print represents musicians in the Duke Ellington Orchestra: Rex Stewart (cornet), Duke Ellington (piano), Barney Bigard (saxophone), Johnny Hodges (saxophone), Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (trombone), Otto Hardwick (saxophone), Juan Tizol (trombone), Harry Carney (saxophone), and Lawrence Brown (trombone).

[printed along bottom]

DUKE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA
REX
DUKE
BIGARD
HODGES
"TRICKY SAM"
HARDWICK
TIZOL
CARNEY
BROWN.

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians by Charles Delauney, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939
depicted
Bigard, Barney
Hodges, Johnny
Nanton, Joe "Tricky Sam"
Hardwick, Otto
Tizol, Juan
Carney, Harry
Brown, Lawrence
Ellington, Duke
Stewart, Rex
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.14
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.14
This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American jazz drummer and composer Maxwell Lemuel Roach (1924–2007) entitled The Master.
Description

This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American jazz drummer and composer Maxwell Lemuel Roach (1924–2007) entitled The Master. Print 1/10.

Peter Bodge is a jazz drummer, art teacher, and printmaker in Massachusetts. Bodge creates linoleum prints and other works on paper. His work most often features portraits, action shots semi-abstract interpretations of such famous jazz musicians, such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Elllngton , Count Basie and John Coltrane. In 1977, Bodge created a short animated film based on the life of Charlie Parker entitled Bird Lives!:

https://www.cambridgecollege.edu/bird-lives-film-peter-bodge

Location
Currently not on view
printing date
1986
depicted
Roach, Max
artist
Bodge, Peter
ID Number
2003.0359.03
accession number
2003.0359
catalog number
2003.0359.03
White on black lithograph of American jazz clarinetist and saxophonist, Booker Pittman (1909-1969). The portrait is of Booker playing a saxophone.
Description

White on black lithograph of American jazz clarinetist and saxophonist, Booker Pittman (1909-1969). The portrait is of Booker playing a saxophone. The print is marked:

[in script, top left]

BOOKER PITTMAN

[in script]

Charles Delaunay
35

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians by Charles Delauney, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1939
depicted
Pitman, Booker
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.13
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.13
This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American composer. Pianist, and jazz band and orchestra leader , composer, Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1918–1974) entitled Meditation.
Description

This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American composer. Pianist, and jazz band and orchestra leader , composer, Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1918–1974) entitled Meditation. Print number 8/10.

Peter Bodge is a jazz drummer, art teacher, and printmaker in Massachusetts. Bodge creates linoleum prints and other works on paper. His work most often features portraits, action shots semi-abstract interpretations of such famous jazz musicians, such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Elllngton , Count Basie and John Coltrane. In 1977, Bodge created a short animated film based on the life of Charlie Parker entitled Bird Lives!:

https://www.cambridgecollege.edu/bird-lives-film-peter-bodge

Location
Currently not on view
printing date
1986
depicted
Ellington, Duke
artist
Bodge, Peter
ID Number
1989.0025.04
catalog number
1989.0025.04
accession number
1989.0025
White on black lithograph of American composer, pianist, and jazz orchestra leader, Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1899-1974). The print is mounted on a cardboard backing. No signature or number/year on print.
Description

White on black lithograph of American composer, pianist, and jazz orchestra leader, Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1899-1974). The print is mounted on a cardboard backing. No signature or number/year on print. The lithograph is marked:

[printed]

ELLINGTON

[in script]

DUKE ELLINGTON

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians by Charles Delauney, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939
depicted
Ellington, Duke
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.04
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.04
This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer William James "Count" Basie (1904–1984) entitled The Kid from Redbank.
Description

This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer William James "Count" Basie (1904–1984) entitled The Kid from Redbank. Artist’s proof.

Peter Bodge is a jazz drummer, art teacher, and printmaker in Massachusetts. Bodge creates linoleum prints and other works on paper. His work most often features portraits, action shots semi-abstract interpretations of such famous jazz musicians, such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Elllngton , Count Basie and John Coltrane. In 1977, Bodge created a short animated film based on the life of Charlie Parker entitled Bird Lives!:

https://www.cambridgecollege.edu/bird-lives-film-peter-bodge

Location
Currently not on view
printing date
1986
depicted
Basie, Count
artist
Bodge, Peter
ID Number
2003.0359.01
accession number
2003.0359
catalog number
2003.0359.01
White on black lithograph of American jazz pianist, Garnet Clark (1917-1938). The portrait is a head profile of Clark wearing a hat.
Description

White on black lithograph of American jazz pianist, Garnet Clark (1917-1938). The portrait is a head profile of Clark wearing a hat. The print is marked:

[printed along bottom]

GARNET CLARK

[in script, top left]

JOE TURNER

[in script]

Charles Delaunay
35

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians by Charles Delauney, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1939
depicted
Clark, Garnet
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.09
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.09
White on black lithograph of American jazz trumpeter, composer, vocalist, and actor, Louis Armstrong (1901-1971). The portrait is of a 3/4 back profile of Armstrong playing a trumpet.
Description

White on black lithograph of American jazz trumpeter, composer, vocalist, and actor, Louis Armstrong (1901-1971). The portrait is of a 3/4 back profile of Armstrong playing a trumpet. The print is marked:

[printed along bottom]

ARMSTRONG

[in script, bottom right]

LOUIS ARMSTRONG

[in script]

Charles Delaunay

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians by Charles Delauney, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939
depicted
Armstrong, Louis
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.11
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.11
White on black lithograph of American jazz trumpeter, composer, vocalist, and actor, Louis Armstrong (1901-1971). The portrait is of a side profile of Amrstrong.
Description

White on black lithograph of American jazz trumpeter, composer, vocalist, and actor, Louis Armstrong (1901-1971). The portrait is of a side profile of Amrstrong. The print is marked:

[printed along bottom]

LOUIS ARMSTRONG

[in script, top left]

LOUIS ARMSTRONG

[in script]

Charles Delaunay 34

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians by Charles Delauney, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1939
depicted
Armstrong, Louis
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.10
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.10
This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of jazz vocalist Billie Holiday (1915-1959) entitled Lady Day.
Description

This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of jazz vocalist Billie Holiday (1915-1959) entitled Lady Day. Artist's proof B.

Peter Bodge is a jazz drummer, art teacher, and printmaker in Massachusetts. Bodge creates linoleum prints and other works on paper. His work most often features portraits, action shots semi-abstract interpretations of such famous jazz musicians, such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Elllngton , Count Basie and John Coltrane. In 1977, Bodge created a short animated film based on the life of Charlie Parker entitled Bird Lives!:

https://www.cambridgecollege.edu/bird-lives-film-peter-bodge

This print was featured on the 2003 poster for the Smithsonian's Jazz Appreciation Month.

https://americanhistory.si.edu/smithsonian-jazz/jazz-appreciation-month/jazz-appreciation-month-posters

Location
Currently not on view
printing date
1986
depicted
Holiday, Billie
artist
Bodge, Peter
ID Number
1989.0025.01
catalog number
1989.0025.01
accession number
1989.0025
White on black lithograph of American jazz pianist, Herman Chittison (1908-1967), with cigarette in mouth, sitting at piano with saxophone in foreground.
Description

White on black lithograph of American jazz pianist, Herman Chittison (1908-1967), with cigarette in mouth, sitting at piano with saxophone in foreground. The print is marked:

[printed along bottom]

CHITTISON

[in script, top right]

CHITTISON

[in script]

Charles Delaunay
34

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians by Charles Delauney, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1939
depicted
Chittison, Herman
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.01
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.01
White on black lithograph of American jazz guitarist, Bernard Addison (1905-1990). The portrait featured a ¾ view of Turner playing a guitar.
Description

White on black lithograph of American jazz guitarist, Bernard Addison (1905-1990). The portrait featured a ¾ view of Turner playing a guitar. The print is marked:

[in script, bottom right]

JOE TURNER

[in script]

Charles Delaunay

This print is from a set of 15 lithographs of jazz musicians by Charles Delauney, entitled Hot Iconography, first printed in 1939.

Charles Delaunay (1911–1988) was a French author and jazz expert. Delaunay was the co-founder and long-term leader of the Hot Club de France, a French organization of jazz fans dedicated to the promotion of "traditional" jazz, swing, and blues. In 1931, the Jazz Club Universitaire was founded, and later became the Hot Club de France in 1932.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939
depicted
Addison, Bernard
maker
Delaunay, Charles
ID Number
2001.0182.08
accession number
2001.0182
catalog number
2001.0182.08
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1845
ID Number
2015.0144.01
accession number
2015.0144
catalog number
2015.0144.01
French artist Paul Delaroche (1797–1856) painted several subjects from English history that were published as popular prints. He incorporated the realistic detail of genre painting into dramatic historical scenes suited to the taste of the time.
Description
French artist Paul Delaroche (1797–1856) painted several subjects from English history that were published as popular prints. He incorporated the realistic detail of genre painting into dramatic historical scenes suited to the taste of the time. His painting, The Children of Edward IV, completed in 1831 and now in the Louvre Museum, pictures Edward V and his younger brother, Richard, Duke of York, in the Tower of London awaiting Edward's coronation – or possibly another fate. In an emotional moment, they hear footsteps. Listening carefully, Richard thinks they are saved, but Edward understands that they are still in danger. The traditional view, based on Shakespeare's play Richard III, is that the princes were murdered in the Tower. Some historians blame their uncle, who succeeded to the English throne as Richard III, while others suspect his successor Henry VII who actually had more to gain from their deaths. New research suggests there may have been another factor, such as a terminal illness, which has been overlooked due to the dramatic power of Shakespeare's text.
Interest in Delaroche's painting inspired a new play by Casimir Delavigne (1793–1843), The Children of Edward. First performed in Paris in 1833, the play in turn inspired a suite of prints titled The Sons of Edward that were printed by the relatively new process of lithography. Lithography, literally drawing on stone, allowed artists to reproduce works more quickly than traditional engraving. Speed was important to capture the market created by the production of Delavigne's play, and lithography offered excellent contrasts of dark and light to heighten the suspense in the picture. The lithograph was designed by Octave Tassaert (1800–1874), an artist known for prints and paintings that conveyed a psychological approach to emotions, which is visible in the brothers' expressions. It was drawn by Hippolyte Garnier (1802–1855) and printed by Delaunois. Theatrical scenes have always been popular as prints, and an American collector donated this print and another from the series to the Museum in 1920.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1833
referenced
Shakespeare, William
depicted
Edward V King of England
designer
Tassaert, Octave
graphic artist
Garnier, Hippolyte-Louis
lithographer
Delaunois
ID Number
GA.11223.02
catalog number
11223.02
accession number
64874
Shakespeare's plays have engaged audiences for centuries, and his theatrical subject matter has influenced the visual arts as well.
Description
Shakespeare's plays have engaged audiences for centuries, and his theatrical subject matter has influenced the visual arts as well. In the 1790s, London publishers John and Josiah Boydell opened the "Shakspeare Gallery" filled with paintings commissioned
to depict scenes from the plays. One hundred of these images were engraved as large prints and proved to be so popular that several editions were published, including an American edition in the 1840s.
King Lear, showing Lear in the storm from Act III, Scene iv, was engraved in 1793 by William Sharp (1749–1824) after the painting by Benjamin West (1738–1820). This dramatic scene was considered a powerful moral lesson representing energy of thought and action. The painting came to the United States in 1807, part of the collection of engineer Robert Fulton (1765–1815). It was exhibited in Philadelphia, Boston, and New York and is now in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Many collectors considered Sharp's engraving of King Lear the finest of the prints in Boydells' Shakspeare Gallery series. Vermont Congressman George Perkins Marsh and President Thomas Jefferson owned prints from the Shakspeare Gallery. This impression from the original English edition came to the Museum in 1979 as a bequest from the family of American artist Stephen Alonzo Schoff (1818–1904), a bank-note engraver who also produced prints in larger formats. Schoff studied art in Europe between 1839 and 1841, and he acquired a significant collection of European and American prints to serve as his working visual library. He owned this preliminary etched proof prepared in an acid bath and a final state of the print finished by hand with the burin, an engraver's cutting tool.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1792
referenced
Shakespeare, William
publisher
Boydell, John
Boydell, Josiah
original artist
West, Benjamin
maker
Sharp, William
ID Number
1979.0114.167
accession number
1979.0114
catalog number
1979.0114.167
79.0114.167

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