Beatrice
<p>In Shakespeare’s <em>Much Ado about Nothing</em>, Beatrice and Benedick are the leading not-quite-lovers, whose verbal sparring delights both the audience and the other characters as their professed mutual hatred turns to love. In this etching, John Hamilton Mortimer captured both the pride and humor of the female half of this pair. The merry Beatrice seems to be caught in mid-repartee, with her mouth slightly open; Benedick has just inquired if his “dear Lady Disdain” is “yet living.” She laughingly responds with the jab quoted below the image.</p>
Catalogue
- Year
- 1809
- Dimensions
- Plate: 40.2 × 42.4 cm (15 7/8 × 16 3/4 in.); Sheet: 59.6 × 43.7 cm (23 1/2 × 17 1/4 in.)
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Artist
- John Hamilton Mortimer
Artist
More
More by John Hamilton Mortimer
Paper Knife from a Writing Set
1825 · hardstones including lapis lazuli, malachite, carnelian, agate, gold; original fitted velvet-lined case
Pen from a Writing Set
1825 · hardstones including lapis lazuli, malachite, carnelian, agate, gold; original fitted velvet-lined case
Seal from a Writing Set
1825 · hardstones including lapis lazuli, malachite, carnelian, agate, gold; original fitted velvet-lined case
Writing Set
1825 · hardstones including lapis lazuli, malachite, carnelian, agate, gold; original fitted velvet-lined case
Caliban
1809 · Etching on cream wove paper
Ophelia, from Twelve Characters from Shakespeare
1809 · Etching on cream wove paper
Record
Verified by WattsOS- Artist
- John Hamilton Mortimer
- Year
- 1809
- Dimensions
- Plate: 40.2 × 42.4 cm (15 7/8 × 16 3/4 in.); Sheet: 59.6 × 43.7 cm (23 1/2 × 17 1/4 in.)
- Watts ID
- WW-1809-091006
Source
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Source
- aic
- Reference
- View at source
- Status
- verified