W. H. Ireland, Author of the Shakespeare Papers.
Print
19th century (published)
19th century (published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Portrait engraving depicting William Henry Ireland, forger of would-be Shakespearean documents and plays. The forgeries deceived many experts. In 1796 Richard Brinsley Sheridan bought the rights to produce the 'newly discovered' Shakespeare play Vortigern and Rowena at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. However, the play and the documents were subject to much public debate over their authenticity. Interest in Vortigen and Rowena heightened, and the play opened to a full house on April 2, 1796. However, the production ended in disaster: the reviews were crushing, and the play closed after its only performance. In 1805, Ireland published The Confessions of William Henry Ireland, in which he confessed the origins of the forged documents.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | W. H. Ireland, Author of the Shakespeare Papers. (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Printed ink on paper |
| Brief description | Portrait engraving of William Henry Ireland |
| Physical description | Head-and-shoulders portrait engraving depicting William Henry Ireland. Ireland wears a dark coat and white shirt. Oval frame within border. Below the print is hand-written: 'Ah! Wily Fate what hast thou done, / Cross'd Cupid's Bow & spoild his fun.' |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'Engd. by MacKenzie from an Original Picture in the possession of Mr. Ireland.'
'W. H. Ireland.'
'Author of the Shakspear Papers.'
'Ah! Wily Fate what hast thou done, / Cross'd Cupid's Bow & Spoild his fun.'
'author of "Vortigern"' |
| Credit line | Gabrielle Enthoven Collection |
| Object history | Given to the Gabrielle Enthoven Collection by L.E. Berman, July 1934, from the Charles Mathews Collection. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Portrait engraving depicting William Henry Ireland, forger of would-be Shakespearean documents and plays. The forgeries deceived many experts. In 1796 Richard Brinsley Sheridan bought the rights to produce the 'newly discovered' Shakespeare play Vortigern and Rowena at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. However, the play and the documents were subject to much public debate over their authenticity. Interest in Vortigen and Rowena heightened, and the play opened to a full house on April 2, 1796. However, the production ended in disaster: the reviews were crushing, and the play closed after its only performance. In 1805, Ireland published The Confessions of William Henry Ireland, in which he confessed the origins of the forged documents. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.688-2017 |
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| Record created | May 3, 2017 |
| Record URL |
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