This is a design by Richard Wynn Keene or Dykwynkyn (1809-1887), for a character in an un-named pantomime, ca.1860, for a beetle wearing a mob cap and apron, inscribed 'This is the Beetle, with her thread and needle', a beetle standing on her back legs and manipulating a large needle with two front right legs into a lace-edged cloth she holds with her two front left legs. We do not know the pantomime in which this character featured, but it would have had a scene relating to the death of Cock Robin since the beetle is the character in the traditional nursery rhyme Who Killed Cock Robin?who offers to make a shroud for Cock Robin. In an article of 1867 the playwright T.W. Robertson described Dykwynkyn as 'the presiding genius of all theatrical Christmas revels.'
For his pantomime work Keene used the name Dykwynkyn which he characteristically signed on an artist's palette on the ground. He was also responsible for designs for a number of other lavish productions of the day, and for these he was billed as Mr. R.W. Keene.
Physical description
Pencil and watercolour costume design on cream paper of a beetle wearing a mob cap and apron, inscribed 'This is the Beetle, with her thread and needle', showing her standing on her back legs and manipulating a large needle with her front and middle right legs into a lace-edged cloth that she holds with her front and middle left legs. She wears an apron and presumably a belt (unseen) from which is suspended a pair of scissors and a tape measure. Her back left leg stands on an artist's palette signed in ink: 'Dykwynkyn'.
With slight pencil sketch verso of a bewigged crow, apparently a Judge, standing in front of a goose.
Place of Origin
London, England (probably, designed)
Date
ca.1860 (designed)
Artist/maker
Keene, Richard Wynn, born 1809 - died 1887 (designer)
Materials and Techniques
Pencil and watercolour on paper
Marks and inscriptions
THIS is the BEETLE with her thread and needle
Dykwynkyn
Dimensions
Height: 28.0 cm, Width: 18.0 cm support sheet
Descriptive line
Costume design for the Beetle with her Thread and Needle, a character in a pantomime, ca.1860. Pencil and watercolour by Dykwynkyn - Richard Wynn Keene (1809-1887).
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
The title inscribed on thie design is a quotation from the traditional nursery rhyme Who Killed Cock Robin:
Who Killed Cock Robin
'Who killed Cock Robin?' 'I,' said the Sparrow,
'With my bow and arrow, I killed Cock Robin.'
'Who saw him die?' 'I,' said the Fly,
'With my little eye, I saw him die.'
'Who caught his blood?''I," said the Fish,
'With my little dish, I caught his blood.'
'Who'll make the shroud?' 'I,' said the Beetle,
'With my thread and needle, I'll make the shroud.'
'Who'll dig his grave?' 'I,' said the Owl,
'With my pick and shovel, I'll dig his grave.'
'Who'll be the parson?' 'I,' said the Rook,
'With my little book, I'll be the parson.'
'Who'll be the clerk?' 'I,' said the Lark,
'If it's not in the dark, I'll be the clerk.'
'Who'll carry the link?' 'I,' said the Linnet,
I'll fetch it in a minute, I'll carry the link.'
'Who'll be chief mourner?' 'I,' said the Dove,
'I mourn for my love, I'll be chief mourner.'
'Who'll carry the coffin?' 'I,' said the Kite,
'If it's not through the night, I'll carry the coffin.'
'Who'll bear the pall?' 'We,' said the Wren,
'Both the cock and the hen, we'll bear the pall.'
'Who'll sing a psalm?' 'I,' said the Thrush,
As she sat on a bush, 'I'll sing a psalm.'
'Who'll toll the bell?' 'I,' said the bull,
'Because I can pull, I'll toll the bell.'
All the birds of the air fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,
When they heard the bell toll for poor Cock Robin.
Materials
Paper; Pencil; Watercolour
Techniques
Painted; Drawn; Inscribed
Subjects depicted
Scissors; Needle; Tape measure
Categories
Entertainment & Leisure
Collection code
T&P
