Oil on board (31.5 x 24 inches, unframed)
This painting depicts a group of 18th-century society ladies and a young author meeting to determine how best to resurrect the popularity of William Shakespeare. From left to right, we see Elizabeth Boyd, Lady Burlington, Miss Cowper, The Duchess of Montagu and Susanna, Duchess of Shaftesbury.
The piece forms a vital part of the Visual Shakespeare Project, which integrates painting with other artistic mediums. For this work, we draw inspiration from the debut novel by Mai Black, The Women Who Saved Shakespeare. The book is based on the historical Shakespeare Ladies Club, a group that famously objected to the bawdy Restoration comedies dominating the theatres of the time.
For nearly 200 years, Shakespeare had been maligned and his works dismissed by critics. It was through the social influence and persistence of the Shakespeare Ladies Club that theatre directors were finally encouraged to resume productions of the Bard’s work.
The novel chronicles their efforts to stage an authentic production of Othello at the Drury Lane Theatre. The fateful handkerchief Othello gave to his wife is featured in the painting—can you spot it?
While the scene takes place in the drawing room of Lady Burlington, other events from the narrative are referenced throughout. The painting portrays Mai Black as Elizabeth Boyd, who is shown looking introspectively at her reflection in a wall mirror as she adjusts to her new social circle. Her supportive friend, Susanna Ashley-Cooper (the 4th Countess of Shaftesbury), watches her with empathy, understanding Elizabeth's social awkwardness. Susanna is portrayed by Chelsea LeSage, a New York actor and director who has appeared in several paintings for the Visual Shakespeare Project.
We have also chosen to include the late Tina Packer, whom we had the honour of meeting at one of our shows. As a monumental figure in the Shakespearean community, she appears here as Mary Montagu, the 2nd Duchess of Montagu.
Original painting: £950 use Contact Us
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Ref: Shakespeare Ladies Club
Location: York UK
Artist: Iain Will