Wits Collection

The Wits of Windsor, a Milton-ian Pun

The Troubles of an Artists Wife (engraving)
1596368 The Troubles of an Artists Wife (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Troubles of an Artists Wife)

Pope at His Villa - Distinguished Visitors (engraving)
3099376 Pope at His Villa - Distinguished Visitors (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Pope at His Villa - Distinguished Visitors)

Strawberry Hill from the Thames (engraving)
3099375 Strawberry Hill from the Thames (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Strawberry Hill from the Thames)

Thomas Hooks Engineering Frolic (engraving)
3099367 Thomas Hooks Engineering Frolic (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Thomas Hooks Engineering Frolic)

A Scene before Kensington Palace - George II and Queen Caroline (engraving)
3099382 A Scene before Kensington Palace - George II and Queen Caroline (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Best Thing Beau Brummell Ever Said (engraving)
3099370 The Best Thing Beau Brummell Ever Said (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Best Thing Beau Brummell Ever Said)

A Droll Scene at Sydney Smiths (engraving)
3099366 A Droll Scene at Sydney Smiths (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Droll Scene at Sydney Smith s)

Sydney Smiths Witty Answer to the Old Parish Clerk (engraving)
3099365 Sydney Smiths Witty Answer to the Old Parish Clerk (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sydney Smiths Witty Answer to the Old Parish Clerk)

When I recovered my wits I found that Carmen was still with me (colour litho)
973012 When I recovered my wits I found that Carmen was still with me (colour litho) by Bull, Rene (1872-1942); Private Collection; (add.info)

De Grammonts Meeting with La Belle Hamilton (engraving)
3099385 De Grammonts Meeting with La Belle Hamilton (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: De Grammonts Meeting with La Belle Hamilton)

Villiers in Disguise - the Meeting with His Sister (engraving)
3099392 Villiers in Disguise - the Meeting with His Sister (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Villiers in Disguise - the Meeting with His Sister)

Scarron and the Wits - First Appearance of La Belle Indienne (engraving)
3099379 Scarron and the Wits - First Appearance of La Belle Indienne (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Beau Fielding and the Sham Widow (engraving)
3099389 Beau Fielding and the Sham Widow (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Beau Fielding and the Sham Widow)

Whartons Rogueish Present (engraving)
3099381 Whartons Rogueish Present (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Whartons Rogueish Present)

A Royal Robber (engraving)
3099378 A Royal Robber (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Royal Robber. William Wake)

Selwyn Acknowledges the "Sovereignty of the People"(engraving)
3099373 Selwyn Acknowledges the " Sovereignty of the People" (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Famous "Literary Club"(engraving)
3099372 The Famous " Literary Club" (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Famous " Literary Club")

"A Treasure for a Lady"- Sheridan and the Lawyer (engraving)
3099377 " A Treasure for a Lady" - Sheridan and the Lawyer (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Three Cranes in Thames Street was a famous tavern as early as the reign of James I. It was one of the taverns frequented by the wits in Ben Jonsons time

Felix Lope de Vega y Carpio (1562-1635). Spanish playwright and poet, one of the key figures in the Spanish Golden Century Baroque literature. Colored engraving

Gulliver in Luggnagg
Gulliver is shown the aged Struldbrugs, who have lost wits, memory and health, acquiring in exchange all kinds of deformity

Cervantes reads his La Galatea to his wife Dona Catalina
Miguel de Cervantes, a famous Spanish novelist, poet and playwright, sits reading to his lover, Dona Catalina, his La Galatea, of which she was his inspiration. Date: 1585

Sir Charles Sedley (1639 - 1701) - English wit and dramatist, member of the Restoration " court wits", M.P. and legislator from 1668 onwards

Emanuel Witz
EMANUEL WITZ no doubt he was one of the Witz : was he also one of the wits, one of those blokes whose ludicrous jokes have all his acquaintance in fits ? Date: 18th century

Hermann Wits
HERMANN WITS Dutch calvinist churchman Date: 1636 - 1708

A French Gentleman enquires after the health of an idiot
A smart French Gentleman enquires after the health of an obvious idiot. " Vat as been ze mattare? Zey tell me you af not ad ze good ealths

Afghanistan: Reverse of anti-Taliban leaflet showing four men in a cave, two killed by a missile and the three remaining frightened out of their wits

Shah in his Car
The Shah of Persia - present- day Iran - drives through the streets of Tehran and scares the wits out of his subjects

Ophelia Cuckoo
Ophelia loses her wits

Under the Mistletoe
A shyly smiling girl wits neath the mistletoe

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"Wits: A Journey through Time and Wit" Step into the world of wits, where brilliance and humor intertwine to create moments of pure delight. From "The Wits of Windsor" to Felix Lope de Vega y Carpio's Milton-ian Pun, this captivating journey will transport you to a realm where words become art. As we delve deeper into history, we encounter engravings that capture the essence of wit in various forms. "The Troubles of an Artist's Wife" portrays the comical struggles faced by those who live with creative geniuses. Meanwhile, "Pope at His Villa - Distinguished Visitors" showcases how even renowned figures appreciate a good dose of wit. Moving along the Thames, we glimpse Strawberry Hill standing proudly against the skyline—a testament to both architectural grandeur and intellectual prowess. Thomas Hook's Engineering Frolic reminds us that even in serious pursuits, wit can find its place. A scene unfolds before Kensington Palace—George II and Queen Caroline exchanging witty banter—an engraving that immortalizes their sharp minds for eternity. And then there is Beau Brummell, forever remembered for his impeccable style but also celebrated for his quick-witted remarks. Sydney Smith's gatherings were legendary for their droll scenes and clever conversations—the epitome of intellectual amusement captured in engravings. One such image depicts Sydney Smith delivering a witty answer to an old parish clerk—a moment frozen in time when laughter echoed through the room. In our journey through wits' domain, we stumble upon a color litho titled "When I recovered my wits I found that Carmen was still with me. " It reminds us that amidst chaos or confusion, true companionship brings clarity and joy. Finally, De Grammont's meeting with La Belle Hamilton encapsulates how wit can charm hearts across generations—an enduring legacy passed down through centuries. Join us on this enchanting voyage as we celebrate the power of wit, where words become art and laughter becomes immortal.