Harlequin and the Merrie Devil of Edmonton
Drawing
December 1839 (drawn)
December 1839 (drawn)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Series of seven sketches for the pantomime of Harlequin and the Merrie Devil of Edmonton, or The Great Bed of Ware. The sketches are by Henry Scharf. The pantomime was produced at Covent Garden in December 1839; the scenery for the production was designed by 'Mr Grieve, Mr T. Grieve and Mr W. Grieve'; decorations by Mr. W. Bradwell.
Object details
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Materials and techniques | Pencil drawing |
Brief description | Series of seven small pencil drawings for the pantomime of Harlequin and the Merrie Devil of Edmonton, or The Great Bed of Ware, by Henry Scharf, 1839. |
Physical description | Seven small pencil sketches, pasted on a sheet of white paper and backed on card. The first four sketches respectively represent scenes 1 to 4 of the pantomime Harlequin and the Merrie Devil of Edmonton. Sketches five and six are both of scene 5. The final sketch represents the throne of Henry 8th. |
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Credit line | Gabrielle Enthoven Collection |
Object history | 'The Great Bed of Ware of Queen Elizabeth's reign (circa 1558-1603) is the most magnificent and wonderful example of the period. Richly carved - the headboard of the bedstead is ornamented with two large panels with circular-headed arches which are filled with an architectural design; [...]. It was evidently made for someone of importance and intended to be housed in a room of suitable proportions such as would only be found in the house of the wealthy [...].' 'At Christmas, 1839, the Great Bed figured in the pantomime at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, entitled Harlequin and the Merrie devil of Edmonton or The Great Bed of Ware. For a foundation of this pantomime Mr. H. Younge selected a quaint seventeenth century tale, The Life and Death of the Merrie Devil of Edmonton, written by T.B., and published in 1631, and embroidered it very fancifully, as is ever the custom in pantomime, introducing quite imaginary incidents connected with the Great Bed [...].' 'In the Enthoven Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum are a series of pencil sketches of the stage settings of the various scenes of the pantomime. That of scene vi shows a large bed quite different in its ornament from the Great Bed, and with 1463 on its footboards. These sketches are by Henry Scharf, made when he was only seventeen years old. He was a brother of Sir George Scharf F.S.A., who was Director of the National Portrait Gallery for many years.' The above historical notes are taken from a small brochure produced when The Great Bed of Ware was exhibited at Frank Partridge & Sons Ltd., 26 King Street, St. James, London, S.W.1; credit for this information is given to Mr Herbert C. Andrews. A copy of the brochure is housed in the V&A Theatre and Performance department, Covent Garden Theatre production file, December 1839. |
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Summary | Series of seven sketches for the pantomime of Harlequin and the Merrie Devil of Edmonton, or The Great Bed of Ware. The sketches are by Henry Scharf. The pantomime was produced at Covent Garden in December 1839; the scenery for the production was designed by 'Mr Grieve, Mr T. Grieve and Mr W. Grieve'; decorations by Mr. W. Bradwell. |
Collection | |
Accession number | S.811-2011 |
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Record created | January 20, 2012 |
Record URL |
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