Rubens Gallery

The Pilgrimage to Canterbury, Thomas Stothard (1755-1834)

Oil on panel, English School, late 18th / early 19th century. Thomas Stothard was born in London and was apprenticed to a draughtsman of silk pattern designs in Spitalfields. When his master died, he attended the Royal Academy in 1778, was elected a Royal Academician in 1794 and, having been taken under the wing of Sir Joshua Reynolds, devoted much of his skill to engravings and illustrations. Stothard worked prodigiously, his family portraits funding much of his art schooling. He admired Rubens and although his paintings are often small in size, they reflect Rubens' colours and composition. This painting shows just one small part of The Pilgrimage to Canterbury. The finished painting (Tate N01163) includes around thirty characters and is almost a metre in length. The engraver and publisher Robert Cromek commissioned this painting from Stothard. He then put it on display and charged visitors a shilling to see it. He also collected subscriptions for the forthcoming print of the painting. William Blake, then a close friend of Stothard, claimed that Cromek had commissioned a painting of the Canterbury Pilgrims from him first, but that Cromek had not liked his design and so took the commission to Stothard. Blake then accused Cromek and, through him, Stothard of copying his long, frieze-like composition. Blake was furious when Stothard's resulting work spring boarded his career and brought about numerous important commissions. It is unlikely that Blake's accusations were well-founded, but the dispute effectively ended Blake and Stothard's friendship

© RIC

The Dairymaids by Alexander M. Thompson & Robert Courtneidge

The Dairymaids by Alexander M. Thompson (9 May 1861- 25 March 1948)and Robert Courtneidge (29 June 1859 - 06 April 1939), with music by Paul Rubens and Arthur Frank Tours. First produced at the Apollo Theatre on 14th April 1906. The illustration shows the sailor Joe Mivens, a comic character, driving a car that is tied to a post so is unable to move. The caption below reads 'The Dairymaids Have Caught On'. This flyer is a souvenir of the 1250th performance show by the artist John Hassall. Robert Macdonalds Co. touring to the Opera House in Tunbridge Wells on 26th August 1907. Date: 1907

© The Michael Diamond Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library

The Balkan Princess, by Frederick Lonsdale & Frank Curzon

The Balkan Princess, the musical comedy success, by Frederick Lonsdale and Frank Curzon, with music by Paul Rubens. First produced at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London, February 1910. Princess Stephanie visits a Bohemian restaurant in search of Duke Sergius. Touring to the Theatre Royal, Exeter, September 1912. Date: 1912

© The Michael Diamond Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library