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1 of 253523 objects
William Hogarth (1697-1764)
Falstaff examining his recruits c.1727-8
Black and white chalk on blue paper | 38.9 x 54.0 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 913491
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A chalk drawing on blue paper showing a scene from Shakespeare's 'Henry IV Part II'. Sir John Falstaff is accepting a bribe from two men (to the right) who do not want to join the army, while appointing two less promising candidates (to the left) in their place. Hogarth probably made the drawing in response to a production of the play performed at Drury Lane in 1727 and 1728 (see Robin Simon, Hogarth, France and British Art. The rise of the arts in 18th-century Britain, 2007, pp. 74). The drawing was used as the basis for an oil painting (dated 1730) once owned by David Garrick and now in a private collection.
Provenance
Mrs Lewis, by whom acquired by Samuel Ireland; his sale (Leigh, Sotheby and Son, 7 May 1801, lot 308: ‘Two, Macheath and Falstaff, large Sketches, in chalk, from Hogarth’s Sketch Book, purchased by Mr Ireland from Mrs Lewis’). Royal Collection by 1833.
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Creator(s)
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Medium and techniques
Black and white chalk on blue paper
Measurements
38.9 x 54.0 cm (sheet of paper)
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
RL 13491
