Valentine Rescuing Sylvia from Proteus

William Holman Hunt

1850-1851

Physical Description

Medium: oil on canvas
Dimensions: 38 x 52.5 in., arched top
Signature: W. HOLMAN HUNT
Date on Image: 1851
Other production information determined from the object: Kent
Note: "W. HOLMAN HUNT 1851. Kent" is inscribed on the lower left.

Production Description

Production Date: 1850-1851
Exhibition History: Royal Academy, 1851 (no.594); Liverpool Academy, 1851; Liverpool, 1969 (no.19)
Original Cost: 100 guineas
Model: James Lennox Hannay
Note: Hannay sat for the figure of Valentine.
Model: James Aspinal
Note: Aspinal sat for the figure of Proteus.
Model: Elizabeth Siddal
Note: Siddal sat for the figure of Sylvia.

Provenance

Current Location: Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery
Archival History: purchased from the artist by Francis McCracken on November 24, 1851 for 100 guineas; Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery

Scholarly Commentary

Literary

The source for this work is Act V, Scene iv, of Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona .

Bibliography

  • The Pre-Raphaelites, Tate 1984, 90-92 (no.36).

Included Text

Valentine. Now I dare not say

I have one friend alive; thou would'st disprove me

Who should be trusted now, when one's right hand

I've [ sic] perjured to the bosom? Proteus.

I am sorry I must never trust thee more

But count the world a stranger for thy sake.
Note: These lines from Act V, Scene iv of The Two Gentlemen of Verona are incscribed on the left spandrel of the original frame.
Proteus. My shame and guilt confound me

Forgive me Valentine if hearty sorrow

Be a sufficient ransom for offence,

I tender it here; I do as truly suffer

As e'er I did commit.
Note: These lines from Act V, Scene iv of The Two Gentlemen of Verona are inscribed on the right spandrel of the original frame.
Electronic Archive Edition: 1
File Name: op137.rap.xml