Text of poem 'Merlin and Vivien' from 'Illustrations to Tennyson's Idylls of the King and Other Poems', vol. 1
Photograph
1875 (printed)
1875 (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In 1874, Julia Margaret Cameron's neighbor, and renowned poet, Alfred Tennyson suggested that Cameron create some illustrations for a new volume of his series of poems on Arthurian legends, "Idylls of the King." In the end, only three images were used, as woodcuts, but the full-size prints were later published in two volumes and were accompanied by excerpts from Tennyson's text and his signature. This is a section of verse from volume one.
Object details
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| Object type | |
| Titles |
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| Materials and techniques | Ink on paper |
| Brief description | Text of poem 'Merlin and Vivien' from 'Illustrations to Tennyson's Idylls of the King and Other Poems', vol. 1, illustrated with photographs by Julia Margaret Cameron |
| Physical description | Printed page of poem text in book of poems with photographic illustrations. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'Merlin and Vivien
For Merlin, overtalk'd and overworn,
Had yielded, told her all the charm, and slept.
Then, in one moment, she put forth the charm
Of woven paces and of waving hands,
And in the hollow oak he lay as dead,
And lost to life and use and name and fame.
A Tennyson' |
| Credit line | Gift of Miss M. Ffytche, 1927 |
| Object history | Originally part of a bound folio volume containing 11 photographs by Cameron and 11 pages of verse text by Tennyson and 3 other text pages (two photographs are missing, the frontispiece image of Tennyson and the last image, 'The Passing of Arthur'). Volume 1 of two albums of illustrations to Tennyson's 'Idylls of the King and other Poems' published by Henry S. King & Co., 1874-75). Each photograph is mounted on bluish mounts with gilt borders. |
| Associations | |
| Literary reference | 'Illustrations to Tennyson's Idylls of the King, and other poems', vol. 1, by Julia Margaret Cameron. London: Henry S. King & Co., 1875. |
| Summary | In 1874, Julia Margaret Cameron's neighbor, and renowned poet, Alfred Tennyson suggested that Cameron create some illustrations for a new volume of his series of poems on Arthurian legends, "Idylls of the King." In the end, only three images were used, as woodcuts, but the full-size prints were later published in two volumes and were accompanied by excerpts from Tennyson's text and his signature. This is a section of verse from volume one. |
| Associated object | 85-1970 (Part) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 85:1-1970 |
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| Record created | May 8, 2014 |
| Record URL |
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