The night-time tryst of Lorenzo and Jessica in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice; representing night. Engraving by I. Taylor jr after R. Smirke.

  • Smirke, Robert, 1752-1845.
Date:
Dec.r 20 1782
Reference:
2913423i
  • Pictures

About this work

Description

Merchant of Venice act V scene i: Lorenzo, meeting Jessica at night, says "How sweet the moon light 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. / Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven / Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold". He points up towards the moon. Stars are shining brightly in the sky.

Publication/Creation

London (near the one mile stone Islington) : Published by I. Taylor junr, Dec.r 20 1782.

Physical description

1 print : engraving and etching, circular ; image 25.7 x 25.6 cm

Lettering

Night. How sweet the moon light sleeps upon this bank. / Look how the floor of heav'n / Is thick inlay'd with pattens of bright gold. See Shakespeare's Merch.t of Venice. Painted by R. Smirke. Engraved by Isaac Taylor junr.

Reference

Wellcome Collection 2913423i

Notes

The fourth print in a set of four prints by Isaac Taylor after Robert Smirke representing the four times of day

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Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores

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