Posthumus and Imogen
Artist: John Faed (Scottish, 1820-1902)
Date: 1865
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Private Collection
Description
John Faed frequently exhibited subjects from William Shakespeare (1564-1616) during his career, and here he depicts a scene from Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, Cymbeline. The play’s protagonist Posthumus, a lowborn gentleman, is brought up by King Cymbeline alongside his daughter Imogen, with whom he falls in love. Posthumus marries Imogen and in doing so is banished by Cymbeline from his Kingdom. This scene depicts the moment in which Posthumus presents Imogen with a bracelet before departing, the bracelet itself later plays a crucial part in the development of the play.
And, sweetest, fairest, As I my poor self did exchange for you, To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles I still win of you: for my sake wear this; It is a manacle of love; I'll place it Upon this fairest prisoner.
~ Postumus Leonatus, Cymbeline, Act I, Scene I
