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Shakspeare, Merchant of Venice. Act V, Scene I

1803, Engraving
Shakspeare, Merchant of Venice. Act V, Scene I
Shakspeare, Merchant of Venice. Act V, Scene I
Shakspeare, Merchant of Venice. Act V, Scene I
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Category
Library Item
Item no
40232
Title
Shakspeare [Shakespeare]. Merchant of Venice. Act V, Scene I
Description
LORENZO: How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!/ Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music/ Creep in our ears; soft stillness, and the night,/ Become the touches of sweet harmony.

A beautiful, romantic, moonlit scene from William Hodges. It depicts Jessica and Lorenzo, her lover with whom she eloped sit on a riverbank. They are gazing into each other’s eyes, and Lorenzo is speaking to Jessica about the music, and gestures towards the musician sitting across them to the left, on the stairs. He plays an instrument, probably a lute. Behind the lovers is an antique statue, and in the background is an antique temple-like building. These items emphasise the timelessness of the couple’s love, and to those acquainted with the play it recalls their earlier conversation in the scene, when they compared themselves to famous lovers from ancient literature.
But ultimately, the landscape is the ruling element of the picture, and it provides a pleasant, idyllic scene of a bright, starry summer night. It is peaceful and harmonious in every aspect.
Engraver
John Browne
Date
1803
Size
63.5 x 50.5 cm
Type
Location
Art and Design Library
Rights and purchasing
Option
Price
Digital FileElectronic file 72 dpi JPEG​
£6.10(inc. VAT 20%)
Digital FileElectronic File 300 dpi TIFF​
£31.00(inc. VAT 20%)
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