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The Landing of Richard II at Milford Haven
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SM P147. ©Sir John Soane's Museum, London. Photo: Art UK
William Hamilton RA (1751 - 1801)
The Landing of Richard II at Milford Haven
c.1793-1800
Oil on canvas
Height: 79.4cm
Width: 55.9cm
Width: 55.9cm
Museum number: P147
On display: Picture Room
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
William Hamilton painted this work for Alderman John Boydell's 'Shakespeare Gallery' in Pall Mall, which opened in 1789. It is not listed in the 1793 catalogue of the contents of the Shakespeare Gallery so must have been painted between that date and 1800, when it was engraved for Boydell's Graphic Illustrations of the Dramatic Works of Shakespeare (1802), Vol. 5, p. 57 by James Parker (a proof plate is the British Museum Prints and Drawings collection, museum no. 1868,0822.3471).
The scene is set beside the sea on the coast of Wales with a pensive King Richard II in the centre, dressed in gold. He is standing, with his left hand to his mouth and his right supporting his sword, looking down, deep in thought. The Duke of Aumerle is standing in the right foreground, talking to him. Bishop Carlisle with other nobles and soldiers (one holding the flag of St George) stand around the King.
This work features in our online exhibition Queer Revelations: https://www.soane.org/exhibitions/queer-revelations
The scene is set beside the sea on the coast of Wales with a pensive King Richard II in the centre, dressed in gold. He is standing, with his left hand to his mouth and his right supporting his sword, looking down, deep in thought. The Duke of Aumerle is standing in the right foreground, talking to him. Bishop Carlisle with other nobles and soldiers (one holding the flag of St George) stand around the King.
This work features in our online exhibition Queer Revelations: https://www.soane.org/exhibitions/queer-revelations
Provenance
Painted for Alderman John Boydell's 'Shakespeare Gallery', some time between 1793 and 1800; purchased by Soane at the sale of the Shakespeare Gallery at Christie's 1805, Lot 8 on the third day of the sale.
Literature
Soane, Description, 1830, p.15
Soane, Description, 1835, p.20
Susan Feinberg Millenson, Sir John Soane's Museum, 1987, p.79
Thornton and Dorey, Miscellany, 1992, p.126
New Description, 2007, pp. 30 and 98
Soane, Description, 1835, p.20
Susan Feinberg Millenson, Sir John Soane's Museum, 1987, p.79
Thornton and Dorey, Miscellany, 1992, p.126
New Description, 2007, pp. 30 and 98
Associated items
O1353, provenance
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk