Details
Creator Reason, Patrick Henry, 1816-1898, artist.
Contributor Irving, Washington, 1783-1859, associated name.
Title The Wife. By Washington Irving. [graphic] / New York, Jany. 1839, P.H.R.
Date [January 1839]
Physical Description 1 drawing: calligraphy in ink; sheet 24 x 19 cm. (9.5 x 7.25 in.)
Description Album page containing an ornately calligraphed transcription of an excerpt from the Irving sketch in "The Sketch Book of Geoffery Crayon, Gent" about the wife as a helpmate to her husband. The sketch first published in 1816 was widely reprinted in periodicals during the 1830s, including in "The Ladies Garland" in 1838. Transcription contains multiple styles of handwriting and is enclosed within a border comrpised of swirls.
Notes Title from item.
Date from item.
Transcription of calligraphic text: AS THE VINE WHICH HAS/ long twined its graceful/foliage about the oak and/ been lifted by it in sunshine will when/ THE HARDY PLANT IS RIFTED/ By the thunderbolt cling round it with its caressing tendrils and bind up its shattered boughs so/BEAUTIFULLY so it is ORDERED BY/ PROVIDENCE/ THAT WOMAN who is the mere DEPENDENT/ And ornament of man in his happier hours should be his stay and solace when/ SMITTEN WITH SUDDEN/ calamity WINDING herself INTO the rugged/ recesses of his nature tenderly/ supporting the drooping head/ and binding up/ THE BROKEN HEART
RVCDC
Description revised 2022.
Access points revised 2022.
Biographical / historical note Reason, born in New York and one of the few known 19th-century Black engravers and lithographers, was also an anti-slavery and voting rights activist. He spent much of his career, which began when he was a teen in the 1830s in New York, before relocating to Cleveland in the late 1860s.
Subject Poetry.
Spouses.
African American artists -- New York (State) -- New York.
Women.
Genre Calligraphy -- 1830-1840.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Amy Matilda Cassey album [P.9764.25]
Accession number P.9764.25

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