John Faed (Scottish, 1819-1902)

Posthumus and Imogen

Artist: John Faed (Scottish, 1820-1902)

Date: 1865

Medium: Oil on canvas

Collection: Private Collection

Description

John Faed frequently exhibited subjects from William Shakespeare (1564-1616) during his career, and here he depicts a scene from Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, Cymbeline. The play’s protagonist Posthumus, a lowborn gentleman, is brought up by King Cymbeline alongside his daughter Imogen, with whom he falls in love. Posthumus marries Imogen and in doing so is banished by Cymbeline from his Kingdom. This scene depicts the moment in which Posthumus presents Imogen with a bracelet before departing, the bracelet itself later plays a crucial part in the development of the play.

And, sweetest, fairest, As I my poor self did exchange for you, To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles I still win of you: for my sake wear this; It is a manacle of love; I'll place it Upon this fairest prisoner.

John Faed (1819–1902)

Warlocks and Witches in a Dance, (or; Tam O’Shanter and the Witches), 1855

they shall be male and female

Genesis 6:19