Artwork
Lear and Cordelia
Lear and Cordelia is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Butts, Jr., Thomas. It dates from 1807 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created around 1807, this copperplate engraving by Thomas Butts Jr.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1807, this copperplate engraving by Thomas Butts Jr. presents a quiet moment between an aged king and his young daughter. The composition centers on the two figures, whose gentle gazes and close physical proximity suggest an intimate exchange, set against a plain background that emphasizes their emotional connection.
Subject & Meaning
The scene draws on Shakespeare’s tragedy of King Lear, focusing on the tender interaction between the monarch and his daughter Cordelia. By isolating this moment of mutual contemplation, the work highlights themes of filial devotion, vulnerability, and the fleeting nature of familial bonds amid the play’s broader narrative of betrayal and madness.
Technique & Style
Butts employs fine cross‑hatching to model the figures, creating subtle gradations of tone that convey volume and texture. Delicate, expressive lines delineate the flowing hair, drapery, and the nuanced gestures of the hands, while the restrained shading directs attention to the central pair, imparting a sense of three‑dimensional presence within the flat medium.
History & Provenance
The engraving was produced in the early nineteenth century, a period when literary subjects were popular in printmaking. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work is attributed to Thomas Butts Jr., a noted engraver who frequently illustrated Shakespearean themes for the burgeoning market of illustrated books and prints.
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