Untitled [Copy of Shakespeare monument in Westminster Abbey]
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JPEG imageItem Type:
ImageDate:
2008-08-09Download Item:
cgjc1140.jpg (JPEG image) 431.4KbDescription:
This cut paper image depicts the monument to Shakespeare in Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey. 'William Shakespeare was buried in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford upon Avon in 1616 but it was not until l740 that a memorial statue to him was erected in Poets? Corner in Westminster Abbey. Some time after Shakespeare?s death there were suggestions that his remains be moved from Stratford to the Abbey but the idea was soon abandoned.The life-size white marble statue was sponsored by the Earl of Burlington, Dr Mead, Alexander Pope and Mr Martin. It was designed by William Kent and created by Peter Scheemakers. The inscription above the head of the statue can be translated ?William Shakespeare l24 years after death by public esteem?. The carved heads on the pedestal of the statue are believed to be of Queen Elizabeth I, Henry V and Richard III. The figure of Shakespeare leans his elbow on a pile of books and his left hand points to a scroll detailing a variant of Prospero?s lines, in Latin, from 'The Tempest': The Cloud capt Tow?rs, The Gorgeous Palaces, The Solemn Temples, The Great Globe itself, Yea all which it Inherit, Shall Dissolve; And like the baseless Fabrick of a Vision, Leave not a wreck behind.' (www.william-shakespeare.info) This piece is signed and dated by the artist.Role:
artistCulture:
IrishDimensions/Extent:
40.6 cm x 25.4 cmWork:
otherRole:
artistType of material:
ImageAvailability:
Full text availablePeriod:
18th centuryLicences: