Jane Shore: "Give gentle mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more (Shakespeare, Richard III, Act 3, scene 1)
Intended to portray Edward IV's mistress Jane Shore, this print appeared in "Shakespeare Illustrated by an Assemblage of Portraits and Views Appropriated to the Whole Suite of our Author's Historical Dramas," published by Edward and Sylvester Harding between 1789 and 1793. The image derives from paintings at Eaton College and Kings College, Cambridge now thought to represent Diane de Poitiers, a lover of the French king Henry II. Lines from "Richard III" link the image to Shakespeare, and those familar with English history will likely recall that Richard's many cruelties included forcing his deceased brother's mistress to walk barefoot through London in penance for adultery.
Artwork Details
- Title: Jane Shore: "Give gentle mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more (Shakespeare, Richard III, Act 3, scene 1)
- Series/Portfolio: Shakespeare Illustrated
- Artist: Francesco Bartolozzi (Italian, Florence 1728–1815 Lisbon)
- Publisher: Edward Harding (British, Stafford 1755–1840 London)
- Publisher: Sylvester Harding (British, Newcastle-under Lyme, Staffordshire 1745–1809 London)
- Subject: Jane Shore (British, died 1526/27)
- Subject: William Shakespeare (British, Stratford-upon-Avon 1564–1616 Stratford-upon-Avon)
- Published in: London
- Date: February 1, 1790
- Medium: Stipple engraving and etching, printed in brown ink; third state of four
- Dimensions: sheet: 7 3/8 x 4 3/16 in. (18.7 x 10.6 cm) (clipped impression)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
- Object Number: 17.3.756–2013
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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